Combination, composition, and method of administering the combination or composition to animals

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a combination and/or composition for administration to animals. In some embodiments, the combination and/or composition can be administered to treat and/or prevent a disease in animals. In some embodiments, the combination and/or composition can be administered to promote animal health. In some embodiments, the combination comprises a composition comprising  Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria , and combinations thereof and a composition comprising an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial, a vaccine, or combinations thereof. The combinations or compositions disclosed herein can also improve feed conversion rates in animals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/525,383, filed Jul. 29, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/359,342, filed Nov. 22, 2016, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,581 on Sep. 17, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US2015/032301, filed on May 22, 2015, which in turn claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/002,527, filed May 23, 2014; each of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure concerns embodiments of a combination and/or composition for administration to animals, as well as methods of making the combination and/or composition and administering the same to animals.

BACKGROUND

Feed conversion rates or ratios (FCR) provide animal producers a method for monitoring the efficiency of raising animals. Estimating the amount of feed required per unit of body gain for animals provides the animal producers the ability to effectively budget costs associated with raising the animals. Feed conversion rates also can be used to reduce risks associated with raising animals, such as feed shortfalls or waste, and can facilitate determining profit margins.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by coccidian protozoa of the genus Eimeria. The disease can spread amongst animals by contact with infected feces by means of an infective form called the oocyst. Coccidiosis is a significant disease of certain animals, such as domestic fowl and livestock, as it can affect animals at a very young age. It can be fatal or compromise animal health, thereby impairing the feed conversion rate of the animals. Thus, production, reproductive efficiency and animal health are adversely affected by coccidiosis. Diseases, such as coccidiosis, cause significant economic losses in certain animal industries. Such diseases also can negatively affect the health of domesticated animals.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a combination comprising a first combination comprising yucca, quillaja, or both; and a second composition comprising an antibiotic, an antimicrobial, an anticoccidial agent, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the combination comprises 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof, and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof. The second composition may comprise 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin and/or 50 ppm to 70 ppm Salinomycin. In some embodiments, the first composition can comprise a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.

Embodiments of the combinations may also include a third composition comprising a vaccine, and in some embodiments, the vaccine is a composition comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the first and second compositions, and optionally the third composition, are admixed to form an admixed composition. The compositions may be mixed simultaneously or sequentially. The admixed composition may be further admixed with a feedstuff to form a feedstuff admixture.

The combination may be formulated for administration to an avian. In some embodiments, the combination is formulated for administration to chickens and turkey. In some other embodiments the combination is formulated for administration to animals other than chicken or turkeys.

The components of the admixed composition, the feedstuff admixture, or both, may be sized, concentrated, or diluted to facilitate admixing, facilitate administration to an animal, or combinations thereof. The combination may further comprise a vitamin, a trace mineral, a bulking agent, a carrier, a colorant, a taste enhancer, or any combination thereof, and in some embodiments the combination further comprises corn, soybean meal, wheat, barley, rye, canola, corn oil, limestone, salt, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), dicalcium phosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate, methionine source, lysine source, L-threonine, choline, or any combination thereof.

Also disclosed herein is a method, comprising administering the composition and/or combinations described herein. In some embodiments, the method further comprises administering a third composition comprising a coccidiosis vaccine comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof. The first and second compositions, and the third composition and/or feedstuff if present, may be administered substantially simultaneously, or they may be administered sequentially, in any order.

Additionally disclosed is a method for making a combination, comprising providing a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or both; providing a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or a combination thereof; and mixing the first composition and the second composition. The method may further comprise admixing the combination with a feedstuff to form an admixed feedstuff. In some embodiments, the method further comprises formulating the first and/or second compositions for mixture with the feedstuff to provide a substantially homogeneous admixed feedstuff.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises combining the first composition, the second composition, or both with a third composition comprising a vaccine.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a graph of average weight (kg) and adjusted feed conversion of birds fed for 28 days with bird feed (Treatment Group 1), and bird feed comprising 125 ppm of an embodiment of a composition according to the present disclosure (composition embodiment (Treatment Group 2), 250 ppm of the same composition embodiment (Treatment Group 3), 500 ppm of the same composition embodiment (Treatment Group 4), and 2,500 ppm of the same composition embodiment (Treatment Group 5).

FIG. 2 is a graph of average weight (kg) and adjusted feed conversion obtained from birds fed for 28-42 days with bird feed (Treatment Group 1), and bird feed comprising 125 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 2), 250 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 3), 500 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 4), and 2,500 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 5).

FIG. 3 is a graph of average weight (kg) and adjusted feed conversion obtained from birds fed for 42 days with bird feed (Treatment Group 1), and bird feed comprising 125 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 2), 250 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 3), 500 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 4), and 2,500 ppm of a composition embodiment (Treatment Group 5).

FIG. 4 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 18 days of feeding.

FIG. 5 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 18-32 days of feeding.

FIG. 6 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 0-32 days of feeding.

FIG. 7 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 32 days of feeding.

FIG. 8 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 32-42 days of feeding.

FIG. 9 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 0-42 days of feeding.

FIG. 10 is a graph of bird weight gain (kg) illustrating results obtained from feeding birds various different treatments of a composition embodiment (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm) and Virginiamycin (0 ppm and 22 ppm), with the graph providing results obtained after 42 days of feeding.

FIG. 11 is a graph of feed conversion rates illustrating results obtained 18 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 12 is a graph of feed conversion rates illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 13 is a graph of feed conversion rates illustrating results obtained 42 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 14 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 18 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 15 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 16 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 42 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 17 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results obtained 21 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 18 is a graph of lesion scores post challenge illustrating results obtained 21-28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 19 is a graph of lesion scores post challenge illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment, and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin, wherein the results were pooled across Virginiamycin levels.

FIG. 20 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results obtained 18 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 21 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 22 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results obtained 42 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 23 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 18 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 24 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 25 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results obtained 42 days after feeding birds with different combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 26 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising a composition embodiment (0 ppm and 250 ppm) and/or Salinomycin (0 ppm and 66 ppm).

FIG. 27 is a graph of lesion scores post challenge illustrating results obtained 28 days after feeding vaccinated birds with different feed combinations comprising 0 ppm, 200 ppm, or 250 ppm of a composition embodiment and/or 0 ppm or 22 ppm Virginiamycin.

FIG. 28 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results on day 18 for birds fed (a) salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment or (b) salinomycin alone.

FIG. 29 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results on day 28 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 30 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results on day 18 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 31 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results on day 28 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 32 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results on day 42 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 33 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results on days 29-42 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 34 is a graph of body weight gain (kg) illustrating results on day 18 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 35 is a graph of body weight gain (kg) illustrating results on day 28 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 36 is a graph of body weight gain (kg) illustrating results on day 42 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 37 is a graph of body weight gain (kg) illustrating results on days 29-42 for birds fed salinomycin and 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 38 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating the effects of a composition embodiment on birds vaccinated with a coccidiosis vaccine at birth wherein the results illustrated are for birds that were not fed the composition embodiment (left bar) and for birds that were fed the composition for different time periods (right bar); the results were measured at day 18.

FIG. 39 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating the effects of a composition embodiment on birds vaccinated with a coccidiosis vaccine at birth wherein the results illustrated are for birds that were not fed the composition embodiment (left bar) and for birds that were fed the composition for different time periods (right bar); the results were measured at day 28.

FIG. 40 is a graph of adjusted feed conversion illustrating results on day 42 for birds administered a coccidiosis vaccine and fed 0 mg or 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 41 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating the effects of a composition embodiment on birds vaccinated with a coccidiosis vaccine at birth wherein the results illustrated are for birds that were not fed the composition embodiment (left bar) and for birds that were fed the composition for different time periods (right bar); the results were measured at day 18.

FIG. 42 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating the effects of a composition embodiment on birds vaccinated with a coccidiosis vaccine at birth wherein the results illustrated are for birds that were not fed the composition embodiment (left bar) and for birds that were fed the composition for different time periods (right bar); the results were measured at day 28.

FIG. 43 is a graph of body weight gain illustrating results on day 42 for birds administered a coccidiosis vaccine and fed 0 mg or 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 44 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results on day 18 for birds administered a coccidiosis vaccine and fed 0 mg or 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 45 is a graph of oocysts per gram of feces illustrating results on day 28 for birds administered a coccidiosis vaccine and fed 0 mg or 250 mg of a composition embodiment for days 0-42, days 0-28, days 29-42, and days 19-42.

FIG. 46 is a graph of body weight versus age in days, illustrating the different changes in body weight for the different treatment groups over time.

FIG. 47 is a graph of mean trophozoite score versus age in days, illustrating a general dose dependent reduction of trophozoite score for groups administered a composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera.

FIG. 48 is a graph of mean fecal score versus age in days, illustrating the different amounts of enteritis detected in fecal samples for the different treatment groups over time.

FIG. 49 is a graph of mean lesion score versus age in days, illustrating the duodenal lesion score for the different treatment groups at days 13 and 16.

FIG. 50 is a graph of mean lesion score versus age in days, illustrating the jejunal lesion score for the different treatment groups at days 13 and 16.

FIG. 51 is a graph of mean lesion score versus age in days, illustrating the ileal lesion score for the different treatment groups at days 13 and 16.

FIG. 52 is a PCoA plot colored by age, illustrating the age-dependent progression of the bacterial community in the gut of the turkeys.

FIG. 53 is a PCoA plot colored by treatment, illustrating the differences between the bacterial communities between control and treatment groups.

FIG. 54 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 3.

FIG. 55 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 3.

FIG. 56 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Clostridium species in the control and treatment groups at day 3.

FIG. 57 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Clostridium species in the control and treatment groups at day 3.

FIG. 58 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of cyanobacterial sequences in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 59 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of cyanobacterial sequences in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 60 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Enterococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 61 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Enterococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 62 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Streptococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 63 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Streptococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 64 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 14.

FIG. 65 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 14.

FIG. 66 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Peptostreptococcaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 14.

FIG. 67 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Peptostreptococcaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 14.

FIG. 68 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Clostridiaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 69 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Clostridiaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 70 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Corynebacterium species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 71 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Corynebacterium species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 72 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Staphylococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 73 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Staphylococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 74 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Streptococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 75 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Streptococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 76 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 77 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus in the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 78 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 79 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 80 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Corynebacterium species in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 81 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Corynebacterium species in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 82 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of E. coli in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 83 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of E. coli in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 84 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Staphylococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 85 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Staphylococcus species in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 86 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Peptostreptococcaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 87 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Peptostreptococcaceae in the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 88 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of E. coli in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 89 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of E. coli in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 90 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Enterococcus cecorum in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 91 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Enterococcus cecorum in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 92 is a plot of original abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 93 is a plot of normalized abundance illustrating the amount of Lactobacillus reuteri in the control and treatment groups at day 84.

FIG. 94 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 3.

FIG. 95 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 7.

FIG. 96 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 14.

FIG. 97 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 21.

FIG. 98 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 32.

FIG. 99 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the amount of E. coli detected at day 84.

FIG. 100 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the difference in the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus detected between the control and treatment groups.

FIG. 101 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the difference in the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus detected between the control and treatment groups.

FIG. 102 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the difference in the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus detected between the control and treatment groups.

FIG. 103 is a plot of abundance versus treatment illustrating the difference in the amount of Candidatus Arthromitus detected between the control and treatment groups.

FIG. 104 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 3.

FIG. 105 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 7.

FIG. 106 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 14.

FIG. 107 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 21.

FIG. 108 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 32.

FIG. 109 is a plot of diversity versus treatment, illustrating the bacterial community diversity of the control and treatment groups at day 84.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure concerns embodiments of a combination comprising quillaja (e.g., Quillaja saponaria), yucca (e.g., Yucca schidigera), an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, and/or a vaccine, such as a coccidiosis vaccine. Methods of administering the combination and/or composition embodiments disclosed herein are described, as are methods for treating and/or preventing certain diseases, such as coccidiosis, in animals using embodiments of the disclosed combination and/or composition embodiments.

I. Terms and Definitions

The following explanations of terms and abbreviations are provided to better describe the present disclosure and to guide those of ordinary skill in the art in the practice of the present disclosure. As used herein, “comprising” means “including” and the singular forms “a” or “an” or “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless explained otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description and the claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, molecular weights, percentages, temperatures, times, and so forth, as used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that may depend on the desired properties sought and/or limits of detection under standard test conditions/methods. When directly and explicitly distinguishing embodiments from discussed prior art, the embodiment numbers are not approximates unless the word “about” is recited. Furthermore, not all alternatives recited herein are equivalents.

To facilitate review of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the following explanations of specific terms are provided:

Administering: Providing a combination, composition, or component disclosed herein by any suitable route to an animal. In some embodiments disclosed herein, administration can refer to oral administration.

Animal: This term includes, but is not limited to, humans, mammals, aquaculture species, and avian species. In some embodiments, this term can refer to mammals, aquaculture species, and avian species that are raised for human consumption or that are domesticated animals. Exemplary such animal species are provided herein.

Aquaculture Species: An animal that lives in salt or fresh water. Exemplary aquaculture species are disclosed herein.

Binding agent or binder: A material or substance that is used to hold or draw together other materials to form a cohesive unit. Examples include, but are not limited to, acacia, alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium compressible sugar, ethylcellulose gelatin, liquid glucose, methylcellulose, povidone or pregelatinized starch.

Co-administration: Administering two or more combinations, compositions, or components simultaneously or sequentially in any order to a subject to provide overlapping periods of time in which the subject is experiencing effects, beneficial and/or deleterious, from each component. One or more of the components may be a therapeutic agent. Components may be combined into a single composition or dosage form, or they may be administered as separate components either simultaneously or sequentially in any order. When administered sequentially, the two or more components are administered within an effective period of time to provide overlapping periods of time in which the subject experiences effects from each component.

Combination: A combination comprises two or more compositions or components that are administered such that the effective time period of the first composition or component overlaps with the effective time period of the second and subsequent compositions or components. A combination may be a composition comprising the components, or it may be two or more individual components administered substantially simultaneously or sequentially in any order.

Excipient or carrier: A physiologically inert substance that is used as an additive in (or with) a combination, composition, or component as disclosed herein. As used herein, an excipient or carrier may be incorporated within particles of a combination, composition, or component, or it may be physically mixed with particles of a combination, composition, or component. An excipient or carrier can be used, for example, to dilute an active agent and/or to modify properties of a combination or composition. Examples of excipients and carriers include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (also known as vitamin E TPGS, or TPGS), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), trehalose, sodium bicarbonate, glycine, sodium citrate, and lactose.

Feed conversion rate: A measure of the efficiency of an animal to convert feed mass into increased body mass; also known in the art as feed conversion ratio (which is expressed herein as a dimensionless number).

Feedstuff: Anything that may be consumed by an animal. The term “feedstuff” includes, but is not limited to, solid and liquid animal feeds (e.g., a feed ration), supplements (e.g., a mineral supplement), water, and feed additive carriers (e.g., molasses).

Saponin: A class of chemical compounds, one of many secondary metabolites found in natural sources, with saponins found in particular abundance in various plant species. More specifically, they are amphipathic glycosides grouped, in terms of structure, by their composition. In certain embodiments, saponin comprises one or more hydrophilic glycoside moieties combined with a lipophilic triterpene derivative.

Therapeutically Effective Amount or Effective Amount: A quantity or concentration of a specified compound or composition sufficient to achieve a desired effect in an animal being treated for a disorder. The therapeutically effective amount may depend at least in part on the species of animal being treated, the size of the animal, and/or the severity of the disorder.

II. Compositions and Combinations

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a combination of yucca or quillaja, more typically both, with an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, and/or a vaccine, such as a coccidiosis vaccine. In some embodiments, the disclosed combination embodiments may be administered prophylactically or therapeutically, to an animal to reduce the risk of the animal from developing particular diseases, such as coccidiosis, and/or to treat an animal suffering from a disease, such as coccidiosis. In some embodiments, the disclosed combinations also can improve the feed conversion rate of certain animals that are raised for human consumption, such as domestic fowl and livestock. In yet additional embodiments, the combinations and compositions can be used to improve animal health generally.

In some embodiments, the compositions and combinations disclosed herein can be used to significantly reduce the costs associated with animal production. In particular embodiments, the compositions and combinations can significantly reduce the costs associated with avian (e.g., domestic fowl) production as the compositions and combinations provide improvements in animal health and growth. Solely by way of example, a reduction of just one point in feed conversion ratio for 1 million chickens per week can translate into a cost/feed savings of nearly $750,000 per year. Some embodiments of the combinations disclosed herein can provide reductions of 5 or more points in feed conversion, thus illustrating their utility and superior activity.

Examples of yucca that can be used in the disclosed combination include, but are not limited to, Yucca aloifolia, Yucca angustissima, Yucca arkansana, Yucca baccata, Yucca baileyi, Yucca brevifolia, Yucca campestris, Yucca capensis, Yucca carnerosana, Yucca cernua, Yucca coahuilensis, Yucca constricta, Yucca decipiens, Yucca declinata, Yucca desmetiana, Yucca elata, Yucca endlichiana, Yucca faxoniana, Yucca filamentosa, Yucca filifera, Yucca flaccida, Yucca gigantean, Yucca glauca, Yucca gloriosa, Yucca grandiflora, Yucca harrimaniae, Yucca intermedia, Yucca jaliscensis, Yucca lacandonica, Yucca linearifolia, Yucca luminosa, Yucca madrensis, Yucca mixtecana, Yucca necopina, Yucca neomexicana, Yucca pallida, Yucca periculosa, Yucca potosina, Yucca queretaroensis, Yucca reverchonii, Yucca rostrata, Yucca rupicola, Yucca schidigera, Yucca schottii, Yucca sterilis, Yucca tenuistyla, Yucca thompsoniana, Yucca treculeana, Yucca utahensis, or Yucca valida. In certain disclosed embodiments the yucca component is Yucca schidigera.

Examples of quillaja that can be used in the disclosed combination include, but are not limited to, Quillaja brasiliensis, Quillaja lanceolata, Quillaja lancifolia, Quillaja molinae, Quillaja petiolaris, Quillaja poeppigii, Quillaja saponaria, Quillaja sellowiana, or Quillaja smegmadermos. In particular disclosed embodiments the quillaja is Quillaja saponaria.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, as used herein, a plant name may refer to the plant as a whole, or to any part of the plant, such as the roots, stem or trunk, bark, leaves, flower, flower stems, or seeds or a combination thereof. These plant parts may be used fresh, or dried, and may be whole, pulverized, mashed, comminuted, or ground. The name may also refer to extracts from any part or parts of the plant, such as chemical extracts, or extracts obtained by pressing, or any other methods of concentrating or extracting oils or other extracts known to those in the art or that are hereafter discovered. Plant extracts may include compounds that are saponins, triterpenoids, polyphenols, antioxidants, resveratrol, or combinations thereof.

A composition comprising yucca and/or quillaja can be used to make embodiments of the disclosed combination. Such compositions can also include carriers and binding agents suitable to formulate the yucca and/or quillaja for administration to animals. In some embodiments, the compositions are formulated for administration to mammals, avian, or aquaculture species. In certain independent embodiments, the composition can be a commercially available product, such as a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, which is sold under the trade name NUTRAFITO PLUS by Desert King International and/or MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. Such composition embodiments can comprise 85% Quillaja saponaria and 15% Yucca schidigera or 90% Quillaja saponaria and 10% Yucca schidigera. In some embodiments, the combination also comprises an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, a vaccine, and/or combinations of such components. The combination components can be administered in any order. In some embodiments, an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, and a vaccine can be administered to the animal prior to administration of yucca, quillaja, or a composition thereof. Alternatively, a vaccine can be administered to an animal, followed by administration of yucca, quillaja, or a composition thereof. In such embodiments, an antimicrobial, an antibiotic and/or an anticoccidial agent may be administered simultaneously with the yucca, quillaja, or composition thereof; or an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, and/or an anticoccidial agent may be administered before or after each of the yucca and/or quillaja. In an independent embodiment, an antimicrobial, an antibiotic and/or an anticoccidial agent need not be administered. In yet other independent embodiment, a vaccine need not be administered.

Suitable antimicrobials and/or antibiotics include, but are not limited to, Virginiamycin, Bacitracin Md., Zinc Bacitracin, Tylosin, Lincomycin, Flavomycin, Terramycin, Neo-Terramycin, or combinations thereof. In yet additional embodiments, the antimicrobial or antibiotic can be selected from penicillin, tetracycline, ceftiofur, florfenicol, tilmicosin, enrofloxacin, and tulathromycin, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, spectinomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, chlortetracycline, gentamicin, sulphadimidine, trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, norfloxacin and combinations thereof.

Suitable anticoccidial agents include, but are not limited to, ionophores and chemical anticoccidial products. Ionophores can include, but are not limited to, Monensin, Salinomycin, Lasalocid, Narasin, Maduramicin, Semduramicin, Laidlomycin, or combinations thereof.

Chemical anticoccidial products can include, but are not limited to, Nicarbazin, Maxiban, Diclazuril, Toltrazuril, Robenidine, Stenorol, Clopidol, Decoquinate, DOT (zoalene), Amprolium, or combinations thereof.

Suitable vaccines can be selected from live coccidiosis vaccines, such as COCCIVAC (e.g., a composition comprising live oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof), LivaCox (a composition comprising 300-500 live sporulated oocysts of each attenuated line of Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella in a 1% w/v aqueous solution of Chloramine B), ParaCox (a composition comprising live sporulated oocysts derived from E. acervulina HP, E. brunetti HP, E. maxima CP, E. maxima MFP, E. mitis HP, E. necatrix HP, E. praecox HP, E. tenella HP, and combinations thereof), Hatch Pack Cocci III (a composition comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, or combinations thereof), INOVOCOX (a composition comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, and a sodium chloride solution), IMMUCOX (a composition comprising live oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria tenella, and combinations thereof), Advent, or combinations thereof.

In yet additional embodiments, other vaccines can be utilized. For example, any vaccine suitable for use in any of the animals described herein can be used in the disclosed combinations and methods. In some embodiments, the vaccine can be selected based on the particular animal to receive the combination. In some embodiments, the vaccine can be selected based on the particular diseases to which a particular animal is susceptible. Solely by way of example, a vaccine administered to a ruminant can be selected from any vaccine suitable for preventing or treating sudden death (e.g., clostridial diseases, anthrax, and the like), respiratory diseases (e.g., infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza-3, bovine virus diarrhea, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, pasteurella, haemophilus sommus, and the like), reproductive diseases (IBR, BVD, brucellosis, vibriosis, lepto, trichomoniasis, and the like), scours (rota and corona virus, E. coli, and the like), pinkeye, hepatitis E virus, porcine endogenous retrovirus, swine influenza virus, porcine parvovirus, and the like. In some embodiments, vaccines can be selected from B ALPHA, BAR-GUARD-99, BAR-VAC, BIOMYCIN 200, BO-BAC-2X, BOVIKALC, CALIBER, CITADEL, CYDECTIN INJECTABLE, CYDECTIN POUR-ON, C & D ANTITOXIN, DIAQUE, DRY-CLOX, ENTERVENE-D, EXPRESS, EXPRESS FP, HETACIN-K, LYSIGIN, OCU-GUARD MB-1, POLYFLEX, PRESPONSE, PRISM 5, PYRAMID, PYRAMID, PRESPONSE SQ, QUATRACON-2X, SYNANTHIC, TODAY, TOMORROW, TRIANGLE, TRIVIB 5L, TRICHGUARD, and the like. In yet additional embodiments, the vaccine can be selected from CIRCUMVENT PCV G2, CIRCUMVENT PCV-M G2, MAGESTIC 7, MAXIVAC, EXCELL 5.0, PROSYSTEM RCE, PROSYSTEM ROTA, TGE/ROTA, PROSYSTEM TREC, and the like.

The amount of antimicrobial or antibiotic used is within the amounts stated below but may depend on the particular antimicrobial or antibiotic used as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In an independent embodiment, the amount of the antibiotic or antimicrobial that is used can be a therapeutically effective amount that is at an approved or authorized dosage level for a particular antibiotic. In some embodiments, the amount of antibiotic or antimicrobial used can range from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as 0.25 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or 0.5 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 0.75 ppm to 2,000 ppm, or 1 ppm to 1,500 ppm, or 5 ppm to 1,000 ppm, or 10 ppm to 500 ppm, or 25 ppm to 300 ppm. In yet additional embodiments, the amount of antibiotic or antimicrobial used can range from greater than 0 mg/kg of body weight to 100,000 mg/kg of body weight, such as 0.5 mg/kg to 2,500 mg/kg, or 1 mg/kg to 1,500 mg/kg, or 5 mg/kg to 1,000 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg m, or 25 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg, or 10-20 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, the amount of the antimicrobial or antibiotic that is included in the composition can range from at least 1 g/ton of feed to 230 g/ton of feed (or at least 1.1 ppm to 256 ppm), such as at least 1 g/ton of feed to 220 g/ton of feed (or at least 1.1 ppm to 243 ppm), at least 1 g/ton of feed to 100 g/ton of feed (or at least 1.1 ppm to 110 ppm), at least 1 g/ton of feed to 50 g/ton of feed (or at least 1.1 ppm to 55 ppm), or at least 1 g/ton of feed to 10 g/ton of feed (or at least 1.1 ppm to 11 ppm). Particular antimicrobials or antibiotics that can be used, and dosage amounts of such antimicrobials and antibiotics include, but are not limited to, the following: Virginiamycin in an amount ranging from 5 g/ton of feed to 25 g/ton of feed (or 5 ppm to 27 ppm, such as 22 ppm); Bacitracin Md. in an amount ranging from 40 g/ton of feed to 220 g/ton of feed (or 44 ppm to 242 ppm, or 50 ppm to 250 ppm in some other embodiments); Zinc Bacitracin in an amount ranging from 40 g/ton of feed to 220 g/ton of feed (or 44 ppm to 242 ppm); Tylosin in an amount ranging from 1 g/ton of feed to 1000 g/ton of feed (or 1 ppm to 1100 ppm); Lincomycin in an amount ranging from 1 g/ton of feed to 5 g/ton of feed (or 1 ppm to 6 ppm); Flavomycin in an amount ranging from 1 g/ton of feed to 5 g/ton of feed (or 1 ppm to 6 ppm); or combinations thereof.

The amount of anticoccidial agent, as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., a veterinarian), can be selected depending on the particular anticoccidial agent used. In some embodiments, the amount of anticoccidial agent used can be a therapeutically effective amount for a particular animal species. In some embodiments, the amount of anticoccidial agent used can range from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as 0.25 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or 0.5 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 0.75 ppm to 2,000 ppm, or 1 ppm to 1,500 ppm, or 5 ppm to 1,000 ppm, or 10 ppm to 500 ppm, or 25 ppm to 300 ppm. In yet additional embodiments, the amount of antibiotic or antimicrobial used can range from greater than 0 mg/kg of body weight to 100,000 mg/kg of body weight, such as 0.5 mg/kg to 2,500 mg/kg, or 1 mg/kg to 1,500 mg/kg, or 5 mg/kg to 1,000 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg m, or 25 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg, or 10-20 mg/kg.

In some embodiments, the amount of the anticoccidial agent that is included in the composition can range from at least 1 g/ton of feed to 250 g/ton of feed (or at least 1 ppm to 275 ppm), such as at least 1 g/ton of feed to 200 g/ton of feed (or at least 1 ppm to 242 ppm), or at least 1 g/ton of feed to 150 g/ton of feed (or at least 1 ppm to 165 ppm), at least 1 g/ton of feed to 100 g/ton of feed (or at least 1 ppm to 110 ppm), or at least 1 g/ton of feed to 50 g/ton of feed (or at least 1 ppm to 55 ppm). Particular anticoccidial agents that can be used, and dosage amounts of such anticoccidial agents include, but are not limited to, the following: Monensin in an amount ranging from 35 g/ton of feed to 110 g/ton of feed (or 38 ppm to 121 ppm); Salinomycin in an amount ranging from 25 g/ton of feed to 90 g/ton of feed (or 27 ppm to 99 ppm); Lasalocid in an amount ranging from 35 g/ton of feed to 113 g/ton of feed (or 38 ppm to 125 ppm); Narasin in an amount ranging from 35 g/ton of feed to 72 g/ton of feed (or 38 ppm to 79 ppm); Maduramicin in amount ranging from 2 g/ton of feed to 7 g/ton of feed (or 2 ppm to 8 ppm); Semduramicin in an amount ranging from 12 g/ton of feed to 23 g/ton of feed (or 13 ppm to 25 ppm); Nicarbazin in an amount ranging from 60 g/ton of feed to 113 g/ton of feed (or 66 ppm to 125 ppm); Maxiban in an amount ranging from 40 g/ton of feed to 90 g/ton of feed (or 44 ppm to 99 ppm); Diclazuril in an amount ranging from 0.5 g/ton of feed to 10 g/ton of feed (or 0.6 ppm to 11 ppm); Toltrazuril in an amount ranging from 1 g/ton of feed to 10 g/ton of feed (or 1 ppm to 11 ppm); Robenidine in an amount ranging from 20 g/ton of feed to 60 g/ton of feed (or 22 ppm to 66 ppm); Stenorol in an amount ranging from 1.5 g/ton of feed to 15 g/ton of feed (or 1.5 ppm to 17 ppm); Clopidol in an amount ranging from 90 g/ton of feed to 227 g/ton of feed (or 99 ppm to 250 ppm); Decoquinate in an amount ranging from 18 g/ton of feed to 27 g/ton of feed (or 19 ppm to 29 ppm); Zoalene in an amount ranging from 25 g/ton of feed to 113 g/ton of feed (or 28 ppm to 125 ppm); Amprolium in an amount ranging from 20 g/ton of feed to 227 g/ton of feed (or 22 ppm to 250 ppm).

The amount of vaccine administered to the animal in combination with any of the components described herein can depend on the type of animal to which the vaccine is administered. In some embodiments, the amount of vaccine used is a therapeutically effective amount ranging from greater than 0 mL/animal to 1,000 mL/animal, or 0.25 mL/animal to 500 mL/animal, or 0.5 mL/animal to 150 mL/animal, or 1 mL/animal to 100 mL/animal, or 2 mL/animal to 50 mL/animal, or 3 mL/animal to 25 mL/animal, or 5 mL/animal to 15 mL/animal.

In some embodiments the composition and/or combination further comprises a vitamin, a trace mineral, a bulking agent, a carrier, a colorant, a taste enhancer, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments the combination further comprises corn, soybean meal, wheat, barley, rye, canola, corn oil, limestone, salt, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), dicalcium phosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate, methionine source, lysine source, L-threonine, choline, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the combination can be admixed with a feedstuff. The combination can be formulated to form a homogeneous mixture with the feedstuff, such as by crushing, crumbling, grinding or otherwise sizing the combination. Alternatively, the combination may be formulated as a solution, suspension, or slurry with the feedstuff, or separately and then added to the feedstuff. In embodiments where the combination comprises two or more compositions, the compositions may be formulated separately or substantially together. Any of the compositions disclosed herein also can be admixed with the feedstuff. In some embodiments, a composition and the feedstuff may be admixed sequentially, in any order, or substantially simultaneously.

In some embodiments the amount of yucca administered to an animal can range from 0 to greater than 10 ounces per ton of feedstuff, typically greater than 0 ounces up to at least 10 ounces per ton of feedstuff, such as from 1 ounce to 9 ounces, or 1 ounce to 8 ounces, or 1 ounce to 7 ounces. The amount of quillaja administered to an animal can range from 0 to greater than 10 ounces per ton of feedstuff, typically greater than 0 ounces up to at least 10 ounces per ton of feedstuff, such as from 1 ounce to 9 ounces, or 1 ounce to 8 ounces, or 1 ounce to 7 ounces. In certain embodiments, both yucca and quillaja are administered, and the combined amount administered is from greater than 0 ounces to greater than 10 ounces per ton of feedstuff, such as from 1 ounce to 9 ounces, or 1 ounce to 8 ounces, or 2 ounces to 7 ounces. In an independent embodiment, Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria can be administered together in an amount ranging from 2 ounces to 8 ounces per ton of feedstuff.

In some embodiments, the amount of compositions comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that are administered to animals can be an amount sufficient to promote animal health, reduce susceptibility to disease, and/or improve feed conversion performance in animals. The amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that can be administered to animals can be measured based on the concentration of the composition per unit of feed, such as in ppm of feed. In such embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof can range from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as 50 ppm to 3,000, or 100 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 600 ppm, or 150 ppm to 600 ppm, or 200 ppm to 400 ppm, or 250 ppm to 300 ppm.

In some embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that can be administered to animals can be measured based on the amount of the composition per unit body weight of an animal, such as mg/kg BW/day and/or g/kg BW/day, wherein “BW” refers to body weight. In some embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that is administered can range from greater than 0 mg/kg BW/day to 1000 mg/kg BW/day, such as 10 mg/kg BW/day to 500 mg/kg BW/day, or 20 mg/kg BW/day to 250 mg/kg BW/day, or 30 mg/kg BW/day to 200 mg/kg BW/day, or 40 mg/kg BW/day to 100 mg/kg BW/day. In yet additional embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that can be administered to an animal can be measured based on the amount of the composition per animal per day, such as mg/head/day and/or g/head/day. In some embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that is administered can range from greater than 0 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, such as 0.25 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, or 1 mg/head/day to 75 g/head/day, or 10 mg/head/day to 50 g/head/day, or 50 mg/head/day to 25 g/head/day.

In an independent embodiment, a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria can be administered using at least 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, 200 ppm to 500 ppm, 200 ppm to 300 ppm, 225 ppm to 275 ppm, or 230 ppm to 260 ppm. An exemplary embodiment of the disclosed combination comprises 200 ppm, 250 ppm, or 300 ppm of a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria.

In some embodiments, the ratio of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera can range from 70:30 (Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera) to 90:10 (Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera). In an independent embodiment, the ratio of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera can be 85:15.

III. Methods of Use

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of using the compositions and combinations disclosed herein. Certain method embodiments can concern administering the disclosed compositions and/or combinations to an animal to treat and/or prevent certain diseases, such as coccidiosis. In some disclosed embodiments, administering the composition and/or combination result in reducing negative effects associated with diseases, such as coccidiosis, in animals, such as, but not limited to, poor body weights, feed conversion rates, oocyst production, and/or lesion scores. In some embodiments, the animal can be an animal raised for human consumption or a domesticated animal. Examples of animals that can be administered the compositions and combinations disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, mammals, such as livestock (e.g., feed or dairy cattle) or pigs; avian, such as domestic fowl (e.g., laying hens, chicken, turkey, goose, duck, cornish game hen, quail, partridge, pheasant, guinea-fowl, ostrich, emu, swan, or pigeon); aquaculture species, such as fish (e.g., salmon, trout, cod, halibut, snapper, herring, catfish, and the like), crustaceans (e.g., lobster, shrimp, prawns, crabs, hill, crayfish, barnacles, copepods, and the like), or molluscs (e.g., abalone, conchs, rock snails, whelk, clams, oysters, mussels, cockles, and the like). In other embodiments, the animal can be a domestic animal, such as a dog, cat, fish, or rabbit. In some other embodiments, the animal can be a ruminant species, such as a sheep, goat, cow, deer, bison, buffalo, or llama. In yet other embodiments, the animal can be an ungulate, such as a horse, donkey, or pig.

In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a combination comprising a first composition and a second composition. The first composition can comprise yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first composition comprises Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method can comprise administering an amount of a composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof to an animal in amounts ranging from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or 10 ppm to 3,000 ppm, or 25 ppm to 4,000 ppm, or 50 ppm to 3,000, or 100 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 600 ppm, or 250 ppm to 300 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method can comprise administering an amount of a composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof ranging from greater than 0 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, such as 0.25 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, or 1 mg/head/day to 75 g/head/day, or 10 mg/head/day to 50 g/head/day, or 50 mg/head/day to 25 g/head/day.

In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods, the first composition comprises Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria and the composition is administered to avian. In such embodiments, the amount of the first composition can range from greater than 150 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as at least 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as at least 200 ppm to 500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 300 ppm of a composition comprising Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the methods can comprise administering the compositions disclosed herein to animals other than chickens and turkeys. In some embodiments concerning administering a first composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria to animals other than chickens or turkeys, the amount of the first composition that is administered can range from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or 50 ppm to 3,000, or 100 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 600 ppm, or 250 ppm to 300 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method can comprise administering the compositions or combinations to ruminants or ungulates. Such embodiments can comprise administering a disclosed composition or combination embodiment to a livestock animal in an amount suitable to improve animal health or increase milk production. In some embodiments, a composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof can be administered to a ruminant or ungulate in an amount ranging from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as 50 ppm to 3,000, or 100 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 600 ppm, or 150 ppm to 600 ppm, or 200 ppm to 400 ppm, or 250 ppm to 300 ppm. In exemplary embodiments, the amount of the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof that is administered to certain ruminants, such as swine, ranges from 50 ppm to 600 ppm. In yet additional embodiments, a composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof can be administered to a ruminant or ungulate in an amount ranging from greater than 0 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, such as 0.25 mg/head/day to 100 g/head/day, or 1 mg/head/day to 75 g/head/day, or 10 mg/head/day to 50 g/head/day, or 50 mg/head/day to 25 g/head/day.

In yet additional embodiments, the composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof can be administered to aquaculture species. In such embodiments, the methods can comprise providing the aquaculture species an amount of the composition that ranges from greater than 0 ppm to 100,000 ppm, such as 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm, or 200 ppm to 25,000 ppm, or 300 ppm to 15,000 ppm, or 400 ppm to 5,000 ppm, or 500 ppm to 1,000 ppm. In some exemplary embodiments, the amount ranges from 300 ppm to 2,000 ppm, such as 300 ppm to 500 ppm.

In an independent embodiment, the method can comprise administering a composition comprising yucca, quillaja, or a combination thereof wherein the amount of the composition that is administered ranges from at least 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm, such as 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, 200 ppm to 500 ppm, 200 ppm to 300 ppm, 225 ppm to 275 ppm, or 230 ppm to 260 ppm. An exemplary embodiment of the disclosed combination comprises 200 ppm or 250 ppm of a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria.

In some embodiments, administration of a composition comprising Yucca and Quillaja, such as Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, provides a health benefit to an animal compared to an animal that is not administered the composition. The composition may be administered alone, or in combination with an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, a vaccine, or a combination thereof, as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the composition is administered in the amounts disclosed herein. The health benefit may include, but is not limited to, an anticoccidial effect, as determined by a reduction in the number of coccidian oocysts detected in fecal samples; a reduction in the number of Necrotic Enteritis lesions caused by Clostridium perfringens; a reduction in the impact of field infections and trophozoite burden caused by Cochlosoma anatis infections; and/or a beneficial effect on the microbiome of the animal. The beneficial effect on the microbiome of the animal, such as the gut bacterial community, may include, but is not limited to, a decrease in Clostridium species, such as Clostridiaceae; a decrease in cyanobacterial sequences; a decrease in Enterococcus species, including Enterococcus cecorum; a decrease in E. coli; a decrease in Corynebacterium species; a decrease in Staphylococcus species; a decrease in Streptococcus species; an increase in Lactobacillus species, such as, Lactobacillus reuteri; an increase in segmented filamentous bacteria (Candidatus Arthromitus); an increase in Peptostreptococcaceae, including butyrate producing bacteria that have been shown to be positively correlated with improved gut health; or any combination thereof. The health benefit may occur at any time during the time period during which the composition is administered. In some embodiments, the composition is administered from the day of age, and the health benefit may occur at any time from the day of age, such as from the day of age to day of harvest.

In certain method embodiments, the second composition can comprise an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, a vaccine, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the second composition comprises Virginiamycin, Salinomycin, or a combination thereof. The amount of the antibiotic, antimicrobial, anticoccidial agent, or vaccine in the second composition can range from any of the amounts disclosed for such components provided herein. In some embodiments, the amount of the antibiotic, antimicrobial, anticoccidial agent, or vaccine can range from greater than 0 ppm to 500 ppm, such as 10 ppm to 100 ppm, or 10 ppm to 70 ppm. In some embodiments, the amount ranges from at least 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin and/or at least 25 ppm to 90 ppm Salinomycin, such as 20 ppm to 80 ppm, 20 ppm to 70 ppm, 20 ppm to 60 ppm, or 20 ppm to 50 ppm. Exemplary amounts in certain working embodiments include, but are not limited to, 22 ppm Virginiamycin and/or 50 ppm to 70 ppm, such as 66 ppm Salinomycin.

Method embodiments disclosed herein also can comprise administering the combination comprising the first composition and the second composition in combination with a feedstuff. For example, the combination of the first composition and the second composition can be administered in combination with an amount of feedstuff suitable for obtaining an animal having a weight suitable for that particular species. Solely by way of example, some embodiments can comprise administering the first composition and the second composition in combination with 7 lbs to 10 lbs of a feedstuff to a chicken. Any suitable dosage of the combination comprising the first composition, second composition, and the feedstuff may be used. In some embodiments, the amount of the feedstuff that is provided to the animal can be varied according to their food intake needs as growth occurs.

In some embodiments, the combination can comprise a first composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent and/or an antibiotic, and a third composition comprising a vaccine. A feedstuff also may be administered in such embodiments. The combination of the first, second, and/or third compositions that is administered can be admixed with a feedstuff prior to administration to the animal, or the feedstuff may be administered before or after the combination of the first, second, and/or third compositions. These embodiments are not intended to limit the order of administration, as any suitable order of administration can be selected.

The combination and/or composition embodiments disclosed herein can be administered using any suitable technique. In some embodiments, the combination and/or the composition is orally administered by actively introducing the combination into the animal's mouth, or orally administered by allowing the bird to ingest the combination and/or composition on its own. The combination and/or composition may be administered to the animal during any stage of its lifecycle in which they consume food. In some embodiments, the animal is an avian, such as a domestic fowl and the combination or composition disclosed herein is administered after hatching (or “day of age”), or at any stage thereafter, such as day of age to 42 days after birth, or 18 days after birth to 35 days after birth. In some embodiments, the combination or composition can be fed to 18 day-old broiler chickens, and thereafter until harvest, typically at 8 weeks. In some embodiments, the combination or composition can be fed to an animal that is raised for human consumption from day of age to day of death, or from day of age to a time period prior to death.

Method embodiments disclosed herein improve an animal's feed conversion rate, such as by reducing the animal's feed conversion rate value, relative to animals that are fed a standard diet (e.g., a feedstuff). In an independent embodiment, the method described herein can be used to improve an animal's feed conversion rate relative to animals that are solely fed a feedstuff in combination with amounts of a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria ranging from 100 ppm to 150 ppm. In some embodiments, the animal is an animal raised for human consumption, such as a domestic fowl and/or livestock. A feed conversion rate (feed conversion ratio) is a measure of an animal's efficiency in converting feed mass into increased body mass. In embodiments wherein the combination or composition is administered to an avian, such as a domestic fowl, an avian (e.g., domestic fowl) exhibiting a low feed conversion rate (e.g., at least one to less than 2, such as greater than 1 to 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, or lower) is considered efficient, as it requires less feed to reach a desired weight. In some embodiments, a low feed conversion rate for pigs can be 1 to 3, such as 1 to 3, or 2 to 3. In some embodiments, a low feed conversion rate for cattle can be 5 to 8, such as 6 to 8, or 7 to 8. In some embodiments the feed conversion rate of an avian, such as a domestic fowl, can be enhanced by 0.5% to greater than 20%, such as 2% to 10%, and in certain independent embodiments, by 3% to 5%. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide a feed conversion rate enhancement of broiler meat-type chickens of 4-5%.

Some method embodiments disclosed herein also comprise reducing the concentration of oocysts in feces of animals, thereby reducing the incidence of coccidiosis in such animals, by administering an embodiment of the combination and/or composition. In some embodiments, the method can comprise administering a combination or composition disclosed herein to an animal and then evaluating the number of oocysts produced by the animal in comparison to an animal that has not been administered the combination and/or composition. In some embodiments, the number of oocysts can be reduced by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, or by about 20% to 80%, such as 20% to 70%, 20% to 60%, or 20% to 50%. In certain vaccinated animals, such as domestic fowl, the number of oocysts can range from 10,000 to 20,000 oocysts per gram of feces, which can be reduced by a factor of four or 25%.

IV. Working Examples

The subject matter disclosed herein is further understood by reference to the following examples, which are intended to be purely exemplary of certain working embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited in scope by the exemplified embodiments, which are intended as illustrations of single aspects of the claimed invention only. Any methods that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the claimed invention. Various modifications of the presently disclosed subject matter, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

In this example, the disclosed combination was administered to broiler chickens to determine doses in which the disclosed combination can be administered without negatively affecting feed intake and at what level of administration toxicity occurs.

Approximately 50 broiler chickens were kept in pens (8 pens in total, with 50 birds per pen) and fed a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria (referred to in Examples 1-5 herein as “the composition” or the “Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition”) at different doses. The doses used in this particular example included feed with 0 ppm of the composition, 125 ppm of the composition, 250 ppm of the composition, 500 ppm of the composition, and 2,500 ppm of the composition. No disease challenge was administered to the pen. Performance measurements were conducted, food intake was assessed, and death incidence measured. The results obtained from this particular embodiment are illustrated graphically in FIGS. 1-3.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, performance (in the form of average weight and adjusted feed conversion) was first measured after 28 days, with doses of 250 ppm and 500 ppm providing better feed conversion than 0 ppm and/or 125 ppm doses. FIG. 2 illustrates results obtained from days 28-42 of the study, such results again indicating lower feed conversion numbers for doses of 250 ppm and 500 ppm than that achieved from feeding the birds feed only and/or feed including 125 ppm of the composition. FIG. 3 illustrates results obtained on the final day of the study (day 42); similar results were obtained. Accordingly, this particular embodiment establishes that there are no adverse effects in feed intake, feed conversion or body weights in birds that ingested up to 2500 ppm. The results also indicate that higher doses of the composition (e.g., about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm) than that typically suggested amount in the art (i.e., 125 or 150 ppm) can be administered to the animal without adverse effects.

Example 2

In this example, the live performance of male broiler chickens during a standard diet program with and without an embodiment of the disclosed combination was determined. In this embodiment, the combination comprised Virginiamycin and different levels of the composition, particularly 0 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm, and further comprising Avatec 90. A disease challenge was presented in each pen by adding coccidial contaminated litter to the pen.

Results from this embodiment are provided in FIGS. 4-10. Body weight gain was measured on day 18 (FIG. 4), days 18-32 (FIG. 5), day 32 (FIG. 6), days 32-42 (FIG. 7), and on day 42 (FIG. 8) of feeding. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate results from days 0-32 and days 0-42, respectively. Virginiamycin was administered at two different dosage levels, 0 ppm and 22 ppm. As indicated in FIGS. 4-10, Virginiamycin improved feed conversion rates throughout the test. In embodiments where only the composition was administered, there was not a significant improvement in the adjusted feed/gain, but it did significantly affect bird weight gain throughout the tests. The results also establish that Virginiamycin and the composition provide an additive effect when used in combination. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the composition improved bird weight gain when administered at 150 ppm and 200 ppm and the overall bird weight gain response (illustrated in FIG. 10) corroborated that good responses were obtained using these two amounts of the composition. Table 1, below, provides the body weight gain (in grams) representing the growth response by dose (using only the composition and no Virginiamycin) and feeding phase for each dose over the control embodiment for each embodiment.

TABLE 1 Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria Starter Grower Withdrawal Composition (ppm) 0-18 d 18-32 d 32-42 d Total 150 50 28 11 89 200 63 29 2 94 250 52 21 25 98

Example 3

In this embodiment, the effects of an embodiment of the disclosed combination in broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis was determined. In this example, the combination comprised the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, an antibiotic composition, and/or a vaccine composition. Also, the ability of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition to enhance the activity of the antibiotic (in this example, Virginiamycin) composition and/or the vaccine composition in coccidiosis-vaccinated birds was determined. In this embodiment, all birds were vaccinated for coccidiosis with CocciVac. The Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition was administered in doses of 0 ppm, 200 ppm, and 250 ppm. Virginiamycin also was administered to the broilers in doses of 0 ppm and 22 ppm. Feed conversion performance, the number of oocysts per gram of feces, and lesions following coccidial challenge were measured.

Results from this embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 11-19. As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, broilers that were administered the vaccine alone did not show the low feed conversion rates that broilers administered with the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and/or Virginiamycin. FIGS. 11-13 also illustrate that broilers administered with a combination of the vaccine, the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, and Virginiamycin exhibited the lowest feed conversion rates. Without being limited to a particular theory of operation, it is currently believed that higher levels of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition (e.g., at least 200 ppm to 500 ppm) promotes the effect of the vaccine while Virginiamycin controls bacterial growth, thereby providing an additive effect which results in an overall improvement in feed conversion efficiency.

The effect of a combination of the vaccine, the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, and Virginiamycin on weight gain also was determined. FIGS. 14-16 illustrate these results. Additionally, the ability of coccidial organisms to reproduce in broilers administered a combination of vaccine, the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, and Virginiamycin also was tested. As indicated in FIG. 17, the number of oocysts (which results from reproduction of the coccidial organisms) was substantially reduced in broilers that had received the vaccine, the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, and Virginiamycin. FIG. 17 also illustrates that combinations of the vaccine and the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition resulted in decreased oocysts as well.

In this embodiment, a challenge study was also conducted to determine immune potentiation. On day 21 of this embodiment, five birds from each pen were removed and challenged with a 3-species coccidial challenge. The birds were then placed in battery cages for seven days. At day 28, the birds were killed and lesion scored. It was hypothesized that if immune potentiation occurred, then lesions scores following the challenge study would be lower in birds that were administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition than birds that were not administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and/or Virginiamycin. Surprisingly, however, lower lesions scores than those obtained with control birds (e.g., vaccine only) were not observed in birds that were administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition in amounts ranging from about 200 ppm to 500 ppm, alone or in combination, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. Without being limited to a particular theory of operation, it is currently believed that the higher lesion scores were obtained in birds that had been administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and/or Virginiamycin than control birds because the birds that were administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and/or Virginiamycin experienced lower levels of coccidia exposure prior to extraction from the pens. That is, birds administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition at amounts of about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm and/or Virginiamycin exhibited better anticoccidial capabilities than birds that were not administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and/or Virginiamycin. The non-control birds therefore did not develop as much immunity to coccidia while in the pen as the control birds who were not administered the combination and therefore were more susceptible to coccidia and better able to develop more immunity while in the pen. The control birds therefore exhibited lower lesions scores once extracted from the pens as they had already developed immunity to the coccidial challenge. The anticoccidial effects of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition in amounts ranging from about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm, alone or in combination with Virginiamycin, are therefore corroborated with the data illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, as higher lesion scores are indicative of better coccidiosis control (i.e., less immunity). Results from these lesion scoring examples are provided in FIGS. 18 and 19.

Based on this example, it was determined that the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition, particularly at amounts of about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm, exerts clear anticoccidial effects in vaccinated broilers. There was an approximate 4- to 5-fold reduction in fecal oocyst count during the first 28 days in birds administered a combination of a vaccine and the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition. Also, the anticoccidial effects of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition was supported by the challenge study disclosed above, which clearly showed higher susceptibility to coccidial challenge in birds that were not administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition.

Example 4

In this particular embodiment, the compatibility of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition with Salinomycin was evaluated. The treatments included embodiments where no feed additive was provided (e.g., none of the composition added), where 250 ppm of the composition was provided, where 66 ppm of Salinomycin was provided, and embodiments where 250 ppm of the composition and 66 ppm of Salinomycin were provided in combination. The anticoccidial effects and immune potentiation of each test embodiment were evaluated and the results are provided graphically in FIGS. 20-26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20-23, the adjusted feed conversions of the birds were determined after 18 days, 28 days, and 42 days, respectively. The results show an improvement in feed conversion rate in birds administered the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition and Salinomycin in combination. A significant point difference in feed conversion rate was seen after each time period, as illustrated in FIGS. 20-23. Without being limited to a single theory of operation, it is currently believed that administering the composition in combination with Salinomycin increases the effectiveness of the Salinomycin in reducing the negative effects of coccidiosis (e.g., poorer feed conversion rates). The results also illustrated an additive effect between the composition and the Salinomycin. Body weight gain also increased in birds that were administered a combination of the composition and Salinomycin as compared to birds that did not receive the combination (e.g., birds administered feed only, birds administered the composition only, and birds administered Salinomycin only). These results are clearly illustrated in FIGS. 24-26.

The combination of the composition and Salinomycin also reduced the number of oocysts per gram of feces in broilers, as indicated in FIG. 27. A challenge study was also conducted to evaluate the potential for immune potentiation. Similar to the challenge study described in Example 3, 5 birds were removed from each pen after 21 days. These birds were challenged with a three-species coccidial challenge and then placed in batter cages for seven days. On day 28, the birds were killed and lesion scored. This challenge study indicated independent anticoccidial effects of the composition and Salinomycin as both increased the susceptibility of broilers to coccidial challenge between days 21 and 28.

Example 5

In this particular embodiment, the effects of the composition and Salinomycin, independently, were evaluated. Lower amounts of the composition were tested, including the amount that is typically used by those in the art (i.e., 125 ppm). Salinomycin treatments used 44 ppm or 66 ppm Salinomycin. Non-infected birds that received no medication were used as a control (entry 1 of Table 2, below). Also, some birds were administered 66 ppm of Salinomycin, but where not infected (entry 7 of Table 2, below). The remaining birds were infected with 200,000 oocysts of field isolate of E. acervulina, which is a species of Eimeria that causes coccidiosis in poultry, particularly old poultry, and subjected to the treatments described below in entries 2-6 of Table 2. As indicated by the data provided in Table 2, no significant differences in body weights and/or adjusted feed conversion were observed at the lower levels of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition (abbreviated as “YQ composition” in Table 2) used in these tested embodiments.

TABLE 2 E. acervulina Feed Adj. Fd. Avg. Wt. Lesion Treatment Consum. Conv. Gain Score OPG** NM*, Noninfect 2.796 a 1.791 b 0.260 a 0.0 d 0 NM, Infect 2.531 bc 2.125 a 0.203 c 2.1 a 26780 YQ composition 2.441 c 2.125 a 0.194 c 1.7 bc 24645 100 ppm YQ composition 2.436 c 2.136 a 0.191 c 2.0 ab 22411 125 ppm YQ composition 2.490 c 2.186 a 0.192 c 2.3 a 36301 150 ppm Sal 44 ppm 2.804 a 1.946 b 0.241 ab 1.3 c 2734 Sal 66 ppm 2.692 ab 1.948 b 0.231 b 1.4 c 217 *NM = non-medicated treatments **OPG = oocysts per gram of fecal material

Similar protocols were used to determine the effects of lower amounts of NFP (e.g., 100 ppm, 125 ppm, and 150 ppm) on birds infected with E. maxima, a common form of Eimeria found in commercial broilers. Infected birds were infected with 37,500 oocysts of field isolate of E. maxima. The infected birds were subjected to the treatments described below in entries 2-6 of Table 3. As indicated by the data provided in Table 3, no significant differences in body weights and/or adjusted feed conversion were observed at the lower levels of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition (abbreviated as “YQ composition” in Table 3) used in these tested embodiments.

TABLE 3 E. maxima Feed Adj. Fd. Avg. Wt. Lesion Treatment Consum. Conv. Gain Score OPG NM, Noninfect 2.796a 1.791c 0.260a 0.0e 0 NM, Infect 2.674ab 2.225a 0.201c 1.9ab 1884 YQ composition 2.638bc 2.191a 0.202c 1.8ab 11072 100 ppm YQ composition 2.534c 2.216a 0.191c 1.6bc 335 125 ppm YQ composition 2.611bc 2.258a 0.194c 2.0a 1100 150 ppm Sal 44 ppm 2.718ab 2.021b 0.225b 1.3cd 4435 Sal 66 ppm 2.647bc 1.960b 0.230b 1.2d 167 *NM = non-medicated treatments **OPG = oocysts per gram of fecal material

In another test embodiment, the effects of lower amounts of NFP (e.g., 100 ppm, 125 ppm, and 150 ppm) on birds infected with E. tenella, a species of Eimeria that causes hemorrhagic cecal coccidiosis in poultry, particularly young poultry. Infected birds were infected with 100,000 oocysts of field isolate of E. tenella. The infected birds were subjected to the treatments described below in entries 2-6 of Table 4. As indicated by the data provided in Table 4, no significant differences in body weights and/or adjusted feed conversion were observed at the lower levels of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition (abbreviated as “YQ composition” in Table 4) used in these tested embodiments.

TABLE 4 E. tenlla Feed Adj. Fd. Avg. Wt. Lesion Treatment Consum. Conv. Gain Score OPG NM, Noninfect 2.796a 1.791c 0.260a 0.0d 0 NM, Infect 2.770a 2.012a 0.236b 1.9a 1984 YQ composition 2.692a 2.017a 0.226b 1.3b 617 100 ppm YQ composition 2.757a 1.999a 0.231b 1.5b 11589 125 ppm YQ composition 2.723a 1.892b 0.240ab 1.6ab 2267 150 ppm Sal 44 ppm 2.787a 1.929ab 0.242ab 0.8c 800 Sal 66 ppm 2.671a 1.863bc 0.245ab 0.6c 150 *NM = non-medicated treatments **OPG = oocysts per gram of fecal material

Accordingly, the results provided in this example establish that amounts of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition ranging from 100 ppm to 150 ppm are not as effective in improving feed conversion rates of animals as are amounts of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition that range from about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm. The results also reflect that amounts of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition ranging from 100 ppm to 150 ppm do not have the same anticoccidial activity as those embodiments wherein about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm of the Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria composition is used.

General Procedures for Examples 6-8

In the embodiments described below in Examples 6-8, the following conditions and methods were utilized. The test house was divided into pens of equal size, arranged along a central aisle. Subtracting out for equipment, the initial bird density was ˜0.84 square ft/bird. Each pen had 5 feet high side walls with bottom 1½ feet being of solid wood to prevent bird migration. All flooring of each pen had approximately 4 inches of built-up litter.

The temperature of the building was monitored. Environmental conditions during the trial (temperature) were appropriate (optimum) to the age of the animals. Illumination was provided by fluorescent bulbs placed above the pens. The lighting scheme was 24 hours of light per day.

The diets were provided ad libitum in one tube-type feeder per pen. From day 1 until day 7, feed will also be supplied on a tray placed directly on the litter of each pen. Standard floor pen management practices were used throughout the experiment.

Animals and housing facilities were inspected twice daily, observing and recording the general health status, constant feed and water supply as well as temperature, removing all dead birds, and recognizing unexpected events.

All feeds were fed as crumbles/pellets. Quantities of all basal feed and test articles used to prepare treatment batches were documented. Each batch of feed was mixed and bagged separately. Each bag was identified with the study number, date of mix, type of feed, and the correct treatment number. Complete records of feed mixing, and test article inventories were maintained. A sample from the beginning, middle, and end of each treatment feed were mixed to form a composite sample. This sample of each treatment was retained until study end. All feed was weighed by pen. Starter feed was fed from Day 0 to 18. On Day 18, non-consumed starter was weighed and discarded. Grower feed was issued and fed until Day 28. On Day 28, non-consumed grower was weighed and discarded. Finisher feed was issued and fed until Day 42. On Day 42, non-consumed finisher was weighed and discarded.

Day of hatch male chicks were obtained from Cobb-Vantress hatchery, Cleveland, Ga. The strain was Cobb 500. Breeder flock was recorded. 1760 chicks were allocated to the study. At the hatchery, the birds received routine vaccinations. The birds were sexed at the hatchery. In Example 7, all chicks were spray vaccinated with conventional doses of Coccivac-B. Only healthy appearing chicks were used in the study. In examples 6 and 7, fifty-five males were allocated to each treatment pen by blocks. In example 8, fifty-two males were allocated to each treatment pen by blocks. No birds were replaced during the course of the study. Number and disposition of all birds not used for allocation were documented. Bird weights (kg) by pen were recorded at study initiation, Day 18, 28, and termination (Day 42).

On Days 18, 28, and 35, three birds per pen were sacrificed and coccidial lesion scored for degree of E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella infection (Examples 6 and 7). The system of Johnson and Reid (1970) wherein 0 is normal and 1, 2, 3, or 4 indicate increasing severity of infection were used for lesion scoring. In Example 8, three birds per pen were sacrificed on days and 28 and coccidial lesion scored for degree of E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella infection. The system of Johnson and Reid (1970) wherein 0 is normal and 1, 2, 3, or 4 indicate increasing severity of infection were used for lesion scoring.

On Days 18 and 28 fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen (Examples 6 and 7). On Days 18 and 28, fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen (Example 8). These representative samples were tested to determine the degree of oocysts shedding/cycling. Oocysts per gram were determined for each sample.

Example 6

In this particular example, compositions were administered for different time periods during the life span of birds to determine preferred administration time periods for improved performance. Also studied were the control of field strains less sensitive to ionophore medication and the performance of composition embodiments alone or in combination with Salinomycin fed to broilers.

Birds were administered a diet comprising 250 mg of a composition embodiment comprising 90% Quillaja saponaria and 10% Yucca schidigera in combination with 66 ppm of Salinomycin for different time periods. In some embodiments, the composition embodiment was fed to the birds for the entire period between birth and death (typically days 0 to 42, referred to as a “full program”) or during intermediate time periods during the birds' life spans, such as from days 0 to 28 (referred to as a “starter/grower program”), from days 29-42 (referred to as a “finisher program”), or from days 19-42 (referred to as a “grower/finisher program”). The birds were exposed to a coccidial challenge from day of age (e.g., day 0). Numerical results are provided by Tables 5-7 and also are presented graphically by FIGS. 28-37.

TABLE 5 Feed Adj. Avg. Wt Treatments Intake FCR Gain Day 18 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 33.19b 1.445a 0.377a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 33.23b 1.445a 0.377a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 35.46a 1.474a 0.394a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 35.09ab 1.483a 0.391a 250 ppm D19-42 Day 28 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 85.06a 1.652b 0.944a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 85.59a 1.649b 0.948a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 85.36a 1.701a 0.920a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 86.28a 1.676ab 0.941a 250 ppm D19-42 Day 42 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 212.19a 1.807c 2.412a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 208.87a 1.837bc 2.376a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 206.71a 1.887a 2.295a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 205.66a 1.859ab 2.295a 250 ppm D19-42 “D” = days; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 6 Feed Adj. Avg. Wt Treatments Intake FCR Gain Day 18 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 33.19b 1.445a 0.377a ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 33.23b 1.445a 0.377a ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 35.46a 1.474a 0.394a ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 35.09ab 1.483a 0.391a ppm D19-42 Day 28 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 85.06a 1.652b 0.944a ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 85.59a 1.649b 0.948a ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 85.36a 1.701a 0.920a ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 86.28a 1.676ab 0.941a ppm D19-42 Day 42 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 212.19a 1.807c 2.412a ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 208.87a 1.837bc 2.376a ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 206.71a 1.887a 2.295a ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 205.66a 1.859ab 2.295a ppm D19-42 “D” = days; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 7 Treatments E.A. E.M. E.T. AVG Lesions Day 18 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 2.4a 1.5a 0.2ab 1.4a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 2.3a 1.0a 0.4a 1.2a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 2.2a 1.4a 0.2b 1.3a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 2.4a 1.3a 0.3ab 1.3a 250 ppm D19-42 Lesions Day 28 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 1.2a 0.2a 0.0a 0.4a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 1.1a 0.1a 0.0a 0.4a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 1.4a 0.2a 0.0a 0.5a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 1.4a 0.0a 0.0a 0.5a 250 ppm D19-42 Lesions Day 35 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 0.3a 0.3a 0.2a 0.3a 250 ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 0.3a 0.2a 0.0a 0.2a 250 ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 0.1a 0.2a 0.3a 0.2a 250 ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 0.1a 0.2a 0.1a 0.1a 250 ppm D19-42 “D” = days; “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 8 Treatments E.A. E.M. E.T. Total Oocysts per gram Day 18 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 4992b 1374bc  528b  6893bc ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 3400b 1616c  352ab  5368c ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 7471a 2705a 1072a 11248a ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 5394ab 2931ab  938a  9263ab ppm D19-42 Oocysts per gram Day 28 1. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 2789ab 209ab 402b 3400b ppm D0-42 2. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 2295b 235b 302b 2831b ppm D0-28 3. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 4255a 930a 796a 5980a ppm D29-42 4. Sal 66 ppm + Composition 250 4020a 829ab 586a 5435a ppm D19-42 “D” = days; “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

The data provided by Tables 5-8 indicate that the compositions and combinations disclosed herein are capable of providing significant and beneficial reductions in adjusted feed conversion rates, thus illustrating the benefits of that the compositions and combinations (e.g., compositions and antibiotics, antimicrobials, and/or anticoccidials) can have on animal health and productivity. In some embodiments, a significant difference (e.g., a reduction of 2% or higher) in the feed conversion rates of birds administered the composition for a full program was observed (see FIGS. 30-33). In some embodiments, using a full program of a composition/combination (e.g., a composition and Salinomycin) resulted in a 5 point difference in feed conversion. See, for example, FIGS. 31 and 32. With reference to FIG. 31, a comparison of the results represented by bar 3100 (representing embodiments where no composition had been administered at the time of measurement) with bar 3102 (representing a full program) and/or bar 3104 (representing a starter/grower program) corroborates that feed conversion rates can be significantly improved using the composition in combination with a component capable of reducing the adverse effects of coccidial infection (e.g., a component having activity against coccidia, such as Salinomycin). With reference to FIG. 32, improved feed conversion rates are even more pronounced at day 42 as can be seen by comparing bar 3200 (days 0-42) and bar 3202 (days 0-28). The data provided by this example illustrate that embodiments of the composition can enhance the activity of Salinomycin, and therefore can be effective with other antimicrobials, antibiotics, and/or anticoccidial agents.

The data also indicate that significant reductions in oocyst production were observed when the birds were fed the composition as compared to birds that did not receive any of the composition (see FIG. 28). Furthermore, birds receiving a full program of the composition exhibited significant decreases in oocyst production as indicated by FIG. 29 and Table 7. Additionally, the composition also did not exhibit any deleterious effects on body weight gain of the birds as evidenced by FIGS. 34-37.

Example 7

In this embodiment, the effects of a composition embodiment in different feeds and as a complete program were evaluated in combination with the use of a coccidiosis vaccine. The coccidiosis vaccine was administered to the birds at hatching in this example; however, the vaccine can be administered at other times during a bird's life cycle and even in combination with the composition. The birds in this embodiment were raised for a 42 day growth period. A control group of birds was used, wherein the birds were vaccinated but were not fed the composition. Other groups included groups of birds fed 250 mg of a composition embodiment from day 0 to day 28 (starter/grower program), from day 29 to day 42 (finisher program), and from day 0 to day 42 (full program). Data from the embodiments described in this example are provided below in Tables 9-11 and also are illustrated graphically in FIGS. 38-45.

TABLE 9 Feed Adj. Wt. Intake FCR Gain Mortality Day 18 1. No Additive 34.69ab 1.473a 0.383a 2. Composition D0-28 33.82ab 1.408ab 0.393a 3. Composition D28-42 35.66a 1.470a 0.397a 4. Composition D0-42 33.28b 1.400b 0.391a Day 28 1. No Additive 85.59ab 1.611a 0.977a 2. Composition D0-28 81.09b 1.564a 0.976a 3. Composition D28-42 86.30a 1.615a 0.975a 4. Composition D0-42 81.77ab 1.571a 0.986a Day 42 1. No Additive 191.42a 1.818a 2.186a 8.2a 2. Composition D0-28 182.99a 1.772b 2.223a 10.9a 3. Composition D28-42 190.18a 1.763b 2.243a 7.6a 4. Composition D0-42 180.86a 1.737c 2.239a 10.6a “D” = days; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 10 Treatment E.A. E.T. E.M. Total Day 21 OPG 1. No Additive 687a 335a 402a 1424a 2. Composition D0-28 109b  75a 151ab  335b 3. Composition D28-42 419ab 268a 260ab  946ab 4. Composition D0-42 142b 126a  67b  335b Day 28 OPG 1. No Additive 7596a 7270a 3928a 18794a 2. Composition D0-28 4023a 4447a 1625a 10095b 3. Composition D28-42 5712a 6214a 3216a 15142ab 4. Composition D0-42 3576a 5151a 1759a 10486b “D” = days; “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 11 Treatment E.A. E.M. E.T. Total Day 21 Lesion Scores 1. No Additive 0.7a 0.2a 0.4a 0.4a 2. Composition D0-28 0.8a 0.3a 0.1a 0.4a 3. Composition D28-42 0.6a 0.3a 0.3a 0.4a 4. Composition D0-42 0.8a 0.4a 0.3a 0.5a Day 28 Lesion Scores 1. No Additive 0.3a 0.1a 0.0a 0.1a 2. Composition D0-28 0.3a 0.3a 0.0a 0.2a 3. Composition D28-42 0.4a 0.2a 0.0a 0.2a 4. Composition D0-42 0.4a 0.2a 0.0a 0.2a Day 35 Lesion Scores 1. No Additive 0.6a 0.4a 0.2a 0.4a 2. Composition D0-28 0.4a 0.3a 0.0a 0.3a 3. Composition D28-42 0.6a 0.4a 0.1a 0.3a 4. Composition D0-42 0.5a 0.3a 0.2a 0.3a “D” = days; “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

Example 8

In this example, the ability of exemplary compositions to improve bird performance under challenge conditions was determined. In some embodiments, an exemplary composition was administered alone and in other embodiments, it was administered in combination with Salinomycin. In some embodiments, the birds were not fed any additives (that is, neither the composition nor Salinomycin) and in other embodiments the birds were solely fed Salinomycin. The birds used in this example were exposed to ionophore tolerant coccidia in the litter of all pens, beginning from day of age. At day 18, Salinomycin alone did not improve performance. Both treatments with the composition (composition alone and composition and Salinomycin), however, exhibited statistically significant improvements in adjusted feed conversion rates, thus indicating that the composition, alone or in combination with Salinomycin, can control coccidia and improve performance. In yet some embodiments, the combination of the composition and Salinomycin exhibited performance improvements at later stages (e.g., after 28 days, even up to 42 days), indicating a synergistic relationship between the composition and the antibiotic. The oocyst data obtained from this example further corroborates the effectiveness of the composition and the combination of the composition and Salinomycin, as statistically significant reductions in oocyst production were observed. The results from this example further illustrate that the disclosed compositions and combinations are effective to better control coccidia that are partially resistant to ionophores.

TABLE 12 Feed Adj. Wt. Intake FCR Gain Mortality Day 18 1. No Feed Additive 25.29a 1.456a 0.294a 2. Composition 250 ppm 25.02a 1.358bc 0.313a 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 24.76a 1.420ab 0.294a 4. Composition 250 ppm + SAL 66 ppm 25.42a 1.321c 0.328a Day 28 1. No Feed Additive 72.26a 1.712a 0.792b 2. Composition 250 ppm 74.06a 1.641b 0.855a 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 74.09a 1.619b 0.875a 4. Composition 250 ppm + SAL 66 ppm 74.81a 1.566c 0.909a Day 42 1. No Feed Additive 177.32a 1.843a 2.009b 3.8ab 2. Composition 250 ppm 180.19a 1.796b 2.108a 4.9ab 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 175.68a 1.773bc 2.114a 6.5a 4. Composition 250 ppm + SAL 66 ppm 178.18a 1.747c 2.141a 3.5b

TABLE 13 Treatment E.A. E.M. E.T. Total Day 18 Lesion Scores 1. No Feed Additive 1.5a 1.1a 1.0a 1.2a 2. Composition 250 ppm 1.5a 0.8a 0.4b 0.9b 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 1.3a 0.7a 0.5b 0.8b 4. Composition 250 ppm + 1.7a 0.9a 0.2b 0.9b SAL 66 ppm Day 28 Lesion Scores 1. No Feed Additive 1.5a 1.0a 0.8a 1.1a 2. Composition 250 ppm 0.8b 0.5b 0.2b 0.5b 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 1.2ab 0.5b 0.1b 0.6b 4. Composition 250 ppm + 1.0b 0.3b 0.3b 0.6b SAL 66 ppm “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 14 Treatment E.A. E.M. E.T. Total Day 21 OPG 1. No Feed Additive 8191a 3719a 6332a 18241a 2. Composition 250 ppm 5025b 2864ab 3819b 11708b 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 2915bc 1910bc 5528a 10352b 4. Composition 250 ppm + 1508c 553c 3719b 5779c SAL 66 ppm Day 28 OPG 1. No Feed Additive 6181a 2261a 5477a 13919a 2. Composition 250 ppm 5025b 1457ab 3467a 9950b 3. Salinomycin (SAL) 66 ppm 3819b 955b 3065ab 7839b 4. Composition 250 ppm + 1558c 704b 2161b 4422c SAL 66 ppm “E.A.” = E. acervulina; “E.M.” = E. maxima; “E.T.” = E. tenella; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

The information provided by Tables 12-14 indicate, in some embodiments, that the disclosed compositions can be used in combination with an antibiotic, antimicrobial, and/or anticoccidial agent to improve performance even in animals that have developed ionophore resistance.

Example 9

In this example, the effect of an exemplary composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera when fed to turkey hens was determined. In some embodiments, the composition was a commercial product sold under the trade name MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. The study comprised 1575 turkeys split into seven blocks of five pens where each pen comprising 45 turkeys. The study was conducted from day 0 to day 42. The five treatments protocols were 0 ppm, 250 ppm, 500 ppm, 750 ppm, and 1000 ppm.

On Days 14, 21, and 28 fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen. These representative samples were tested to determine the degree of coccidia oocysts per gram of litter, by determining oocysts shedding/cycling. Oocysts per gram were determined for each sample. Tables 15 and 16 provide the results. With respect to Table 16, E.G. is E. gallopavonis, E. M. is E. meleagrimitis, and E. A. is E. adenoeides. As can be seen in Table 16, the number of oocysts detected decreased across the groups fed increasing dosages of the composition.

TABLE 15 Feed Adj. Avg. Wt Treatments Intake FCR Gain Day 14 1. 0 ppm Composition D0-42 18.05ab 1.525ab 0.220ab 2. 250 ppm Composition D0-42 17.60b 1.523ab 0.214b 3. 500 ppm Composition D0-42 19.01a 1.514ab 0.236a 4. 750 ppm Composition D0-42 18.26ab 1.485b 0.230ab 5. 1000 ppm Composition D0-42 18.65ab 1.541a 0.228ab Day 42 1. 0 ppm Composition D0-42 141.69ab 1.782a 1.745bc 2. 250 Composition ppm D0-42 136.15b 1.751ab 1.705c 3. 500 Composition ppm D0-42 145.08a 1.754ab 1.825a 4. 750 Composition ppm D0-42 140.80ab 1.714b 1.793ab 5. 1000 Composition ppm D0-42 143.14a 1.747ab 1.810ab “D” = days; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 16 Oocysts per gram fecal material Treatments E.G. E.M. E.A. Total Day 14 1. 0 ppm Composition D0-42 172ab  819a 1010a 2001a 2. 250 ppm Composition D0-42 114ab 1086a  810a 2011a 3. 500 ppm Composition D0-42 105b  858a  943a 1906a 4. 750 ppm Composition D0-42 152ab  918a  753a 1820a 5. 1000 ppm Composition D0-42 286a  772a  734a 1791a Day 21 1. 0 ppm Composition D0-42  9119a 19753a  45127a  73999a 2. 250 ppm Composition D0-42  8652a 18666ab  45070a  72388a 3. 500 ppm Composition D0-42 12320a 15827ab 33236ab 61383ab 4. 750 ppm Composition D0-42  8623a 17714ab 38219ab 64556ab 5. 1000 ppm Composition D0-42  5269a  9481b  54498b  39248b Day 28 1. 0 ppm Composition D0-42 505a 2020a 362a 2887a 2. 250 ppm Composition D0-42 429a 1953a 486a 2868a 3. 500 ppm Composition D0-42 257a 1639a 257a 2153a 4. 750 ppm Composition D0-42 267a 1391a 534a 2192a 5. 1000 ppm Composition D0-42 334a 1039a 534a 1906a “D” = days; “E.G.” = E. gallopavonis; “E.M.” = E. meleagrimitis; “E.A.” = E. adenoeides; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

Example 10

In this examples the effect of a composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in combination with Monensin was determined. In some embodiments, the composition was a commercial product sold under the trade name MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. Four treatment regimens were used: a control with no medication; 250 ppm of the composition; 68 ppm Monensin; and 250 ppm composition in combination with 68 ppm Monensin.

On Days 14, 21, and 28 fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen. These representative samples were tested to determine the degree of coccidia oocysts per gram of litter, by determining oocysts shedding/cycling. Oocysts per gram were determined for each sample. Table 17 and 18 provide the results. As can be seen in Table 17 and 18, the combination of 250 ppm composition and 68 ppm Monensin resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of oocysts detected, compared to the control and to the composition or Monensin individually.

TABLE 17 Feed Adj. Wt. Treatment Intake FCR Gain (kg) Day 14 1. No Additive 20.71a 1.536a 0.258a 2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 20.09b 1.495ab 0.257a 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 20.04b 1.473b 0.261a 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42 19.87b 1.474b 0.257a Day 28 1. No Additive 52.23a 1.694a 0.652b 2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 52.31a 1.570b 0.704a 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 51.81a 1.562b 0.703a 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42 53.08a 1.537b 0.729a Day 42 1. No Additive 125.41b 1.793a 1.547c 2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 127.33ab 1.731b 1.616b 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 124.77b 1.707b 1.614bc 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42 130.13a 1.689b 1.691a “D” = days; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

TABLE 18 Treatment E. gallo. E. mel. E. aden. Total Oocysts per gram fecal material D 14 1. No Additive 571a  1579a  593ab 2742a  2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 363ab 1164ab 867a  2394ab 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 430ab 786b 356ab 1571bc 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42 237b  519b 304b  1060a  Oocysts per gram fecal material D 21 1. No Additive 674a 10405a  1364a   12443a  2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 889a 5662b 793b  7344b 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 623a 2549c 237bc 3409c 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42 515a 1653c 185c  2053c Oocysts per gram fecal material D 28 1. No Additive 259a 252a  311a  823a 2. 250 ppm Composition D 0-42 200a 148ab 59b 408b 3. Monensin 68 ppm D 0-42 119a 74b 29b 252b 4. Composition + Monensin D 0-42  30a 22b 15b  67b “D” = days; “E. gallo.” = E. gallopavonis; “E. mel.” = E. meleagrimitis; “E. aden” = E. adenoeides; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

Example 11

In this example, the effect of a composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera on Necrotic Enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens was determined. In some embodiments, the composition was a commercial product sold under the trade name MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. The study comprised four treatments shown in Table 19.

TABLE 19 Treat- Coccidial Clostridium Cages/ ment Challenge perfringens Treatment T1 Nonmedicated DOT 14 No 8 T2 Nonmedicated DOT 14 DOT 19, 20, 8 and 21 T3 250 ppm DOT 14 DOT 19, 20, 8 Composition and 21 (D 0-D 28) T4 500 ppm DOT 14 DOT 19, 20, 8 Composition and 21 (D 0-D 28) “D” = day; DOT = day of treatment

All birds were weighed on day of treatment (DOT) 0, 14, 21, and 28. Feed was weighed in on DOT 0 and remaining feed was weighed on DOT 14, 21, and 28. 3. Feed and water were given ad libitum. On DOT 14, all birds were orally inoculated with about 5,000 oocysts of E. maxima. Starting on DOT 19, all birds except Treatment 1 were given a broth culture of C. perfringens about 10⁸ cfu/ml. The birds were administered a fresh broth culture once daily for 3 days (on DOTs 19, 20, and 21).

On DOT 21, three birds from each cage were selected, sacrificed, weighed, and examined for the degree of presence of Necrotic Enteritis lesions. The scoring was based on a 0 to 3 score, with 0 being normal and 3 being the most severe. Table 20 provides the results.

TABLE 20 Day 14 Feed Adj. Wt. Treatment Intake FCR Gain 1. No Additive, No CP 3.316a 1.663a 0.242a 2. No Additive, CP 3.065ab 1.658a 0.226a 3. 250 ppm Composition, CP 2.885b 1.521b 0.232a 4. 500 ppm Composition, CP 3.213ab 1.597ab 0.244a Feed Intake Feed Conversion Weight Gain (kg) Treatment D0-21 D14-21 D0-21 D14-21 D0-21 D14-21 1. No Additive, No CP 6.211a 2.895a 2.062b 1.964b 0.378a 0.185a 2. No Additive, CP 5.906ab 2.841a 2.312a 2.516a 0.332a 0.151b 3. 250 ppm Composition, CP 5.519b 2.634a 2.054b 2.215ab 0.351a 0.165ab 4. 500 ppm Composition, CP 6.137a 2.924a 2.094b 2.147b 0.369a 0.174ab Feed Intake Feed Conversion Weight Gain (kg) Treatment D0-28 D14-28 D0-28 D14-28 D0-28 D14-28 1. No Additive, No CP 8.372a 5.057a 1.950b 1.834b 0.652a 0.460a 2. No Additive, CP 7.720ab 4.655a 2.212a 2.265a 0.530a 0.349b 3. 250 ppm Composition, CP 7.355b 4.470a 1.939b 1.945b 0.638a 0.452ab 4. 500 ppm Composition, CP 8.093ab 4.881a 1.934b 1.858b 0.627a 0.432ab Necrotic Enteritis Treatment Lesion % NE Mortality 1. No Additive, No CP 0.0b 0.0b 2. No Additive, CP 0.6a 9.4a 3. 250 ppm Composition, CP 0.6a 1.6ab 4. 500 ppm Composition, CP 0.5a 4.7ab “D” = days; “CP” = C. perfringens; “NE” = Necrotic Enteritis; letters “a,” “b,” and “c” are used to indicate break points based on statistical analysis and thereby provide an indication of statistically significant differences between observed values.

Example 12

In this example, the effect of a composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera on Cochlosoma anatis infections in turkeys was determined. In some embodiments, the composition was a commercial product sold under the trade name MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. To assess the efficacy of the composition, birds were treated with 0 (negative and positive controls), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm of the composition beginning on the day-of-hatch. The turkeys were then challenged with about 1×10⁶ Cochlosoma anatis trophozoites by oral gavage at age 10 days. Twenty nine birds were left untreated and unchallenged to serve as a negative control. At age 13 and 16 days (3 and 6 days post-challenge), birds were euthanized and samples collected.

Results

Mortality: Mortality was collected pre- and post-challenge (Table 21). High mortality was observed in the 250 ppm (10.3%) and 750 ppm (24.1%) MP groups pre-challenge; however, there was no mortality for these groups post-challenge. Post-mortem exams indicated that the mortality was primarily attributed to a failure to consume food (i.e. starve-outs).

TABLE 21 Mortality Pre- Mortality Post- Challenge Challenge Treatment (1-10 days) (11-16 days) Total Negative 0 0 29 Positive 1 0 29  250 ppm 3 0 29  500 ppm 0 0 29  750 ppm 7 0 29 1000 ppm 0 1 29

Body Weight: Body weights were collected before challenge (age 1 and 10 days) and after challenge (age 13 and 16 days). A significant decrease in body weight was observed at age 13 and 16 days for the 500 ppm and 1000 ppm treated groups when compared to the negative control group (FIG. 46). However, no significant differences were observed for these ages or treatment groups when compared to the positive control group. With reference to FIG. 46, treatments not connected by the same letter are significantly different.

Trophozoite Scores: Gastrointestinal samples were collected at meckel's diverticulum and scored for the prescence of trophozoites (0=0 trophozoites, 1=1-10 trophozoites, 2=11-50 trophozoites, 3=50-100 trophozoites, 4=>100 trophozoites). There appeared to be a dose dependent redution in the trophozoite score for composition-treated birds at both 13 (3 days PI) and 16 (6 days PI) days of age (FIG. 47). There was a significant decrease in the the number of trophozoites for the 1000 ppm treated group when compared to the positive control at age 13 days (Table 22). There were no significant differences at age 16 days, however, the data indicates that the median trophozoite scores are trending lower for the composition-treated birds when compared to the positive control birds (Table 23).

TABLE 22 Trophozoite Scores-age 13 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.0334 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-4 1 —  250 ppm 0-3 0 0.0868  500 ppm 0-3 0 1.0000  750 ppm 0-3 0 0.16141 1000 ppm 0-1 0 0.0438

TABLE 23 Trophozoite Scores-age 16 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.2895 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-4 4 —  250 ppm 0-4 2 —  500 ppm 0-4 1 —  750 ppm 0-4 2.5 — 1000 ppm 0-4 1 —

Fecal Scores: Fecal samples were collected from five birds selected at random by placing the birds on a clean surface and waiting until they defecated. Theses samples were then scored for enteritits (0=firm fecal sample, 1=lose fecal sample, 2=moderate diarrhea, 3=severe diarrhea). At age 10 and 13 days, minimal enteritis was observed, but by age 16 days, moderate to severe enteritis had developed in some birds (FIG. 48). The fecal scores were highly variable and no significant differences were found for the treated groups when compared to the positive control group (Tables 24 and 25).

TABLE 24 Fecal Scores-age 13 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.1381 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-0 0 —  250 ppm 0-0 0 —  500 ppm 0-2 1 —  750 ppm 0-1 0 — 1000 ppm 0-3 0 —

TABLE 25 Fecal Scores-age 16 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.5920 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-3 0 —  250 ppm 0-1 0 —  500 ppm 0-1 0 —  750 ppm 0-0 0 — 1000 ppm 0-3 0 —

Intestinal Lesion Scores: Sections of the small intestine were scored for necrotic lesions and inflammation associated with enteritis (0=no lesions, 1=1-2 focal lesions, 2=2-5 focal lesions, 3=moderately coalescing lesions, 4=severely coalescing lesions). No significant differences were observed for lesions in the duodenum (FIG. 49, Tables 26 and 27) or jejunum (FIG. 50, Tables 28 and 29) at either age 13 or 16 days. In the ileum there was a significant increase in the lesion score at age 16 days for the 500 ppm group compared to the positive control (Dunn's test: P=0.0148), no other significant differences were detected (FIG. 51, Tables 30 and 31).

TABLE 26 Duodenum Scores-age 13 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.2175 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-1 0 —  250 ppm 0-1 0 —  500 ppm 0-2 0 —  750 ppm 0-1 0 — 1000 ppm 0-1 0 —

TABLE 27 Duodenum Scores-age 16 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.0535 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-2 1 —  250 ppm 0-2 0 —  500 ppm 0-2 1 —  750 ppm 0-1 0.5 — 1000 ppm 0-1 0 —

TABLE 28 Jejunum Scores-age 13 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.3856 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-0 0 —  250 ppm 0-1 0 —  500 ppm 0-0 0 —  750 ppm 0-0 0 — 1000 ppm 0-0 0 —

TABLE 29 Jejunum Scores-age 16 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.7610 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-3 0 —  250 ppm 0-2 0 —  500 ppm 0-2 0.5 —  750 ppm 0-1 0.5 — 1000 ppm 0-1 0 —

TABLE 30 Ileum Scores-age 13 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 1.000 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-0 0 —  250 ppm 0-0 0 —  500 ppm 0-0 0 —  750 ppm 0-0 0 — 1000 ppm 0-0 0 —

TABLE 31 Ileum Scores-age 16 days Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis Test (Rank Sums) P = 0.0107 Treatment Min-Max Median P-value (Dunn's) Positive 0-1 0 —  250 ppm 0-1 0 1.0000  500 ppm 0-2 1 0.0148  750 ppm 0-1 0 0.9948 1000 ppm 0-1 0 1.0000

Summary: Body weights were significantly decreased for the 500 ppm and 1000 ppm composition groups at both age 13 days and 16 days when compared to the negative control; however, a significant decrease was not observed when compared to the positive control. This data indicates that the C. anatis challenge resulted in a reduction in body weights. Reduced body weights are observed in naturally infected commercial turkeys and thus highlights the usefulness of this model for assessing potential treatment strategies. At age 13 days, trophozoite scores indicated that the positive control and composition treatment groups were successfully infected. There was also a significant decrease in the trophozoite score for the 1000 ppm group compared to the positive control. This data shows that composition treatment can have an impact on C. anatis infections. At 16 days, there were no significant differences in the composition treatment groups compared to the positive control; however, a clear trend was observed which indicated a reduction in trophozoites for composition treated birds. C. anatis infected birds developed enteritis following challenge; however, no significant differences were detected for fecal scores from treatment groups when compared to the positive control. For intestinal scores there were no significant differences in the lesions of the doudenum or jejumun of composition treated groups when compared to the positive control group. There was an increase in the lesion scores in the ileum of the 500 ppm treated group compared to the positive control, but since no other differences were observed, the reasons for this increase are difficult to determine. In summary, composition treatment decreased trophozoites in the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys. The composition therefore could be used to reduce the impact of field infections and the trophozoite burden in commercial turkeys.

Example 13

In this example, the effect of a composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera on the microbiome of turkeys was determined. In some embodiments, the composition was a commercial product sold under the trade name MAGNI-PHI by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. To assess the efficacy of the composition microbiome profiling was performed on whole gut samples from turkeys administered the composition. In total, 121 samples were sequenced by amplifying the V4 region of the 16S rRNA target from extracted DNA for each sample. This generated 3,023,527 bp of data with the average number of sequences per sample at 24,987 (range 13,201 to 38,247). Sample were then analyzed using an open reference OTU-picking approach in QIIME followed by analyses in R statistical package.

Results

Initially, bird age was examined as a factor in bacterial community composition. As expected, there was a clear age-dependent progression of the bacterial community as illustrated in the PCoA plot in FIG. 52.

The same PCoA plot was then colored by treatment instead of by age (FIG. 53). There was not a clear distinction between the bacterial communities between control and treatment groups, indicating that the differences needed to be examined at the individual bacterial species or group level. Differences in taxa were identified between the control group and treatments groups in samples taken on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 32, and 84. On day 3, significant enrichment of Lactobacillus reuteri and significant decrease in Clostridium species were identified (FIGS. 54-57).

At day 7, there were significant decreases in cyanobacterial sequences (FIGS. 58-59), Enterococcus species (FIGS. 60 and 61) and Streptococcus species (FIGS. 62 and 63). The decrease in cyanobacterial sequences were actually not indicative of cyanobacteria, but rather they indicated that there was undigested feed containing plant materials. Thus, a decrease in the cyanobacterial sequences suggested that there was less undigested feed in the gut at time of sampling in the treatment groups.

At day 14, a significant increase in Lactobacillus reuteri was again observed in the treatment group (FIGS. 64 and 65). Additionally, there was a significant enrichment in Peptostreptococcaceae, which includes butyrate producing bacteria that have been shown to be positively correlated with improved gut health (FIGS. 66 and 67).

At day 21, significant decreases in Clostridiaceae, Corynebacterium species, Staphylococcus species, and Streptococcus species (FIGS. 68-75) were observed, all of which contain pathogenic species of bacteria. In contrast, a significant increase in segmented filamentous bacteria (Candidatus Arthromitus) was detected (FIGS. 76 and 77). The earlier appearance of Candidatus Arthromitus in turkey flocks has been a strong biomarker of enhanced performance, so the earlier appearance and higher abundance of this bacteria in the treatment groups suggested enhance performance and accelerate maturation of the microbiota in the treatment birds.

By day 32, segmented filamentous bacteria (Candidatus Arthromitus) had appeared in the control group (FIGS. 78 and 79). However, the abundance was lower than was observed in the treatment group 11 days earlier. This again suggested an earlier appearance and increased abundance of these bacteria in the treatment group. Also, a significant decrease in Corynebacterium species, E. coli, and Staphylococcus species (FIGS. 80-85) was observed. And an increase in Peptostreptococcaceae was detected (FIGS. 86 and 87), including butyrate producing bacteria that are shown to be positively correlated with improved gut health.

And at day 84 significant decreases in E. coli and also Enterococcus cecorum were observed (FIGS. 88-91). And an increase in Lactobacillus reuteri was detected (FIGS. 92 and 93).

Additionally, the amounts of specific bacteria were examined across time points to validate some of the observations seen in significantly changed taxa. E. coli was decreased at all time points except day 32 (FIGS. 94-99, increasing in age). And, segmented filamentous bacteria (Candidatus Arthromitus) increased in treatment on day 7, 14, and 21 (FIGS. 100-103). Additionally, the bacterial community diversity of control versus treatment at each time point was examined, and is illustrated in FIGS. 104-109. Overall, the results were non-significant and varied between time points, suggesting there was not a significant change in bacterial diversity between control and treatment groups.

Table 32 provides twenty bacterial species identified in the samples, grouped by age and treatment.

TABLE 32 StandardD03 CompositionD03 StandardD07 CompositionD07 Lactobacillus 0.6 0.8 567.8 264 aviarius Lactobacillus 13.1 216.2 1441.6 736.4 reuteri Romboutsia 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.7 Lactobacillus 16.1 515.8 195.5 306.5 salivarius Lactobacillus 688.3 538.7 274.2 275.7 johnsonii Lactobacillus 85.4 51.5 251.8 107.9 acidophilus Lactobacillus 462.7 367 181.7 182.7 gasseri Ruminococcus 439.2 726.2 287.1 659.3 Ruminococcus2 433.8 404.9 163.2 165 Oscillospira 261.6 403.1 127.8 238.5 Bifidobacterium 0.01 0.01 2.1 0.01 Faecalibacterium 278.1 202 58.5 113.6 prausnitzii Ruminococcus3 439 22.5 131.4 137.4 Escherichia coli 614.5 370.4 121.4 99.7 Rikenellaceae 1.2 0.4 759 4.5 Faecalibacterium 10.8 1.3 554 0.4 prausnitzii2 Ruminococcus4 394.4 392.3 66.8 222.7 Streptococcus 139.3 86.7 168.2 698.8 Faecalibacterium 184.3 58.2 81.7 129.8 prausnitzii3 Clostridiales 370.7 238 111.1 147.8 StandardD14 CompositionD14 StandardD21 CompositionD21 Lactobacillus 1963.9 1612.8 1354 889.8 aviarius Lactobacillus 573.7 1152 569.1 547.8 reuteri Romboutsia 0.5 0.3 1.8 1.3 Lactobacillus 628.8 312.8 237 539.9 salivarius Lactobacillus 755.4 525.4 519 341.6 johnsonii Lactobacillus 958.2 1241.6 97.4 419.6 acidophilus Lactobacillus 503.8 345.8 297 192 gasseri Ruminococcus 69.7 73.7 61.3 133 Ruminococcus2 109.8 188.8 214 349.4 Oscillospira 125.8 223.4 310.1 379.4 Bifidobacterium 139.1 170.7 212.3 147.8 Faecalibacterium 140.7 68.6 369.5 446.2 prausnitzii Ruminococcus3 132.3 223.7 121.4 223.2 Escherichia coli 166 122.7 109.1 66 Rikenellaceae 54 69.3 415 211.9 Faecalibacterium 318.6 256.4 148.2 65.6 prausnitzii2 Ruminococcus4 53.2 29.2 107.6 93.3 Streptococcus 3.3 3.6 12.4 2.3 Faecalibacterium 85.7 20 282.4 229.4 prausnitzii3 Clostridiales 25.8 152.8 78.3 259.5 StandardD32 CompositionD32 StandardD84 Lactobacillus 2123.2 1173.7 1494.4 aviarius Lactobacillus 263 44.3 205.8 reuteri Romboutsia 12 63.4 2581.8 Lactobacillus 744.3 997.3 110.3 salivarius Lactobacillus 54.6 11.2 263.5 johnsonii Lactobacillus 112.4 685.1 118.2 acidophilus Lactobacillus 40.1 5.5 148.6 gasseri Ruminococcus 36.6 75.8 31.5 Ruminococcus2 377.6 151.7 13.1 Oscillospira 173.2 117.9 56.1 Bifidobacterium 875.7 557.6 133.7 Faecalibacterium 137 194.6 101.3 prausnitzii Ruminococcus3 270 92.4 146 Escherichia coli 180.3 78.7 55.4 Rikenellaceae 110.9 329.4 19.3 Faecalibacterium 249.2 220.7 9.4 prausnitzii2 Ruminococcus4 34.1 92.2 82.6 Streptococcus 6.4 2.7 363.9 Faecalibacterium 226.6 192.9 28.9 prausnitzii3 Clostridiales 59.5 25 1

CONCLUSION

The relative abundance of several bacterial taxa were changed in birds that were fed a composition comprising Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, compared to birds that were not fed the composition. Some changes occurred at specific times, and other changes occurred across several time points. This suggests that biologically meaningful changes to the microbiome occurred as a result of administration of the composition. Specifically, changes included reductions in common pathogens such as E. coli, Clostridium spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp., and enrichment of Lactobacillus reuteri and in the abundance of segmented filamentous bacteria. Overall, these specific modifications to the gut microbiome indicate that administration of the composition may reduce pathogen load in the gut and enrich beneficial bacteria that accelerate gut microbiome maturation.

Overview of Several Embodiments

In some embodiments disclosed herein, the combination can comprise 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof; and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof; wherein the combination is formulated for administration to a chicken or turkey; or greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm of the first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof; and the second composition; wherein the combination is formulated for administration to an animal other than a chicken or turkey.

In some embodiments, the combination is formulated for avian other than chicken or turkey, livestock, aquaculture species, domesticated animals, ruminants, or ungulates. In some embodiments the chicken is a broiler chicken.

In some embodiments, the first composition is formulated for administration to an animal other than a chicken or turkey and the amount of the first composition ranges from 50 ppm to 5,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the first composition is formulated for administration to an animal other than a chicken or turkey and the amount of the first composition ranges from 50 ppm to 2,500 ppm.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the second composition comprises 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the second composition comprises 25 ppm to 90 ppm Salinomycin.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the combination can comprise a third composition comprising a vaccine. In some embodiments, the vaccine is a coccidiosis vaccine comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the Quillaja saponaria is a Quillaja saponaria plant extract, the Yucca schidigera is a Yucca schidigera plant extract, or both. In some embodiments, the Quillaja saponaria plant extract comprises at least one saponin, polyphenol, antioxidant, resveratrol or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the Yucca schidigera plant extract comprises at least one saponin, polyphenol, antioxidant, resveratrol or any combination thereof.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first and second compositions are admixed to form an admixed composition.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first composition, the second composition, and third composition are admixed to form an admixed composition. In some embodiments, the admixed composition is further admixed with a feedstuff to form a feedstuff admixture. In some embodiments, the components of the admixed composition, the feedstuff admixture, or both, are sized, concentrated, or diluted to facilitate admixing, facilitate administration to an animal, or combinations thereof.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the combination can further comprise a vitamin, a trace mineral, a bulking agent, a carrier, a colorant, a taste enhancer, or any combination thereof.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the combination can further comprise corn, soybean meal, wheat, barley, rye, canola, corn oil, limestone, salt, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), dicalcium phosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate, methionine source, lysine source, L-threonine, choline, or any combination thereof.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the combination is administered to an animal that has been or is at risk of being exposed to coccidia. In some embodiments, the coccidia are ionophore-resistant coccidia.

In some embodiments, the combination comprises 200 ppm to 300 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof; and 10 ppm to 70 ppm of an antibiotic, antimicrobial, anticoccidial, or combination thereof; and wherein the combination is formulated for administration to a domestic fowl.

Also disclosed herein are embodiments of methods comprising administering a combination as disclosed herein to an animal at least once daily from day of age and for a time period sufficient to promote a beneficial health effect. In some embodiments, the combination comprises 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof; and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or a combination thereof, and wherein the combination is administered to a chicken or turkey. In some embodiments, the combination comprises greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or a combination thereof; and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof, and wherein the combination is administered to an animal other than a chicken or turkey.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first and second compositions are administered substantially simultaneously.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first and second compositions are administered sequentially, in any order.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the method can further comprise administering the first composition and the second composition in combination with a feedstuff.

In some embodiments, the combination is administered to a chicken or turkey and the feedstuff is provided in an amount ranging from at least 7 lbs to 10 lbs of a feedstuff per chicken or turkey. In some embodiments, the first composition, the second composition, and the feedstuff are administered substantially simultaneously. In some embodiment, the first composition, the second composition, and the feedstuff are administered sequentially, in any order.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the method comprises administering a third composition comprising a coccidiosis vaccine comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first composition, second composition, third composition, and the feedstuff are administered substantially simultaneously. In some embodiments, the first composition, second composition, third composition, and the feedstuff are administered sequentially, in any order.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the animal other than a chicken or turkey is an avian other than a chicken or turkey, a mammal, a ruminant, an ungulate, or an aquaculture species. In some embodiments, the chicken is a broiler meat-type chicken.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the animal has a lower feed conversion rate relative to an animal not administered the combination. In some embodiments, the feed conversion rate is improved by at least 0.5% to at least 5%.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the administration of the combination to the animal has a beneficial effect on the health of the animal relative to an animal not administered the combination. In some embodiments, the beneficial effect on the health of the animal is a beneficial effect on the digestive system of the animal. In some embodiments, the method comprises improving feed conversion rate in animal in a commercial feed operation by administering at least once daily a mixture comprising a feedstuff, an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or a combination thereof, and 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or both, wherein the mixture improves the animal's feed conversion rate by greater than 0.5% up to at least 5% relative to an animal that is not administered the mixture. In some embodiments, the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.

Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making a combination, comprising providing a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria, Yucca schidigera, or both; providing a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or a combination thereof; and combining the first and second compositions. In some embodiments, the amount of the first composition ranges from greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the amount of the first composition ranges from 50 ppm to 5,000 ppm.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the Quillaja saponaria is a Quillaja saponaria plant extract, the Yucca schidigera is a Yucca schidigera plant extract, or both. In some embodiments, the Quillaja saponaria plant extract comprises at least one saponin, the Yucca schidigera plant extract comprises at least one saponin, or both.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the method further comprises admixing the combination with a feedstuff to form an admixed feedstuff. In some embodiments, the method further comprises formulating the first and/or second compositions for mixture with the feedstuff to provide a substantially homogeneous admixed feedstuff.

In any or all of the above embodiments, the method further comprises combining the first composition, the second composition, or both with a third composition comprising a vaccine. In some embodiments, the first composition, second composition, and third composition are admixed simultaneously or sequentially.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. We claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A composition, comprising: 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera; and an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof.
 2. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a feedstuff.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin, 25 ppm to 90 ppm Salinomycin, or a combination thereof.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Quillaja saponaria is processed Quillaja plant material and the Yucca schidigera is processed Yucca plant material.
 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the processed Quillaja plant material, the processed Yucca plant material, or both further comprises a Quillaja saponaria plant extract, a Yucca schidigera plant extract, or both.
 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 200 ppm to 300 ppm of the first composition, and 10 ppm to 70 ppm of an antibiotic, antimicrobial, anticoccidial, or combination thereof.
 8. A combination, comprising 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera, and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof, wherein the combination is formulated for administration to a chicken or turkey.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the first composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.
 10. The combination of claim 8, wherein the second composition comprises 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin, 25 ppm to 90 ppm Salinomycin, or a combination thereof.
 11. The combination of claim 8, further comprising a third composition comprising a coccidiosis vaccine comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof.
 12. The combination of claim 8, wherein the combination comprises 200 ppm to 300 ppm of the first composition, and 10 ppm to 70 ppm of an antibiotic, antimicrobial, anticoccidial, or combination thereof.
 13. A combination, comprising greater than 0 ppm to 5,000 ppm of a first composition comprising Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera, and a second composition comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic, an anticoccidial agent, or combinations thereof, wherein the combination is formulated for administration to an animal other than a chicken or turkey.
 14. The combination of claim 13, further comprising a third composition comprising a vaccine.
 15. The combination of claim 13, wherein the second composition comprises 10 ppm to 30 ppm Virginiamycin, 25 ppm to 90 ppm Salinomycin, or a combination thereof.
 16. A method, comprising administering the composition of claim 1 to an animal.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the composition comprises a mixture of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera in a ratio ranging from 70:30 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera to 90:10 Quillaja saponaria:Yucca schidigera.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the animal is a broiler meat-type chicken or a turkey.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the animal has a lower feed conversion rate relative to an animal not administered the composition.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the feed conversion rate is improved by at least 0.5% to at least 5%.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the composition is administered at least once daily for a time period sufficient to promote a beneficial health effect on the digestive system of the animal relative to an animal not administered the composition.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the beneficial health effect on the animal comprises an earlier appearance of segmented filamentous bacteria, an increase in the abundance of segmented filamentous bacteria, an increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus, or a combination thereof.
 23. A method, comprising administering the combination of claim 8 to a chicken or a turkey at least once daily from day of age and for a time period sufficient to promote a beneficial health effect relative to an animal not administered the combination.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising combining the first and second compositions with a feedstuff to form a mixture and administering the mixture to the chicken or the turkey.
 25. The method of claim 23, further comprising administering a third composition comprising a coccidiosis vaccine comprising oocysts derived from Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mivati, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria hagani, or combinations thereof.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first composition, the second composition, and the third composition are administered substantially simultaneously, or sequentially in any order.
 27. A method, comprising administering the combination of claim 13 to an animal other than a chicken or a turkey at least once daily for a time period sufficient to promote a beneficial health effect relative to an animal not administered the combination.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the animal is a mammal, an aquaculture species, or an avian other than a chicken or turkey. 